Over 4,000 Threaten To Boycott Elections In Phikwe
Monday, August 25, 2014
The BCL Mine is the largest single employer in Phikwe, employing 4,100 workers. But the workers are holding out for a 12 percent salary adjustment while the mine has offered six percent, and they have decided to escalate their demands by boycotting the elections.
Botswana Mine Workers Union official Joseph Tsimako confirmed this and explained that since they petitioned BCL board chairman Dr Akolang Tombale in May they are yet to receive feedback. He said the fact that government now wholly owns BCL means that Tombale reports to the Minister of Minerals Energy and Water Resources and said this now means that government is silent on their concerns.
The recent disclosure by the IEC that 2,513 registrations have been turned down due to various irregularities should prompt all Batswana to meticulously review the voters' rolls and address concerns about rejected registrations.The disparities flagged by the IEC are troubling and emphasise the significance of rigorous voter registration processes.Out of the rejected registrations, 29 individuals were disqualified due to non-existent Omang...