BRBB refutes BMWU allegations
Chakalisa Dube | Monday August 21, 2023 06:00
The company has been contracted to develop an open cast coal mining operation at the Morupule Coal Mine’s Motheo project.
Towards the end of last month, Botswana Mine Workers Union (BMWU) accused the company of disregarding the safety and welfare of its workers most of whom are affiliated to the union.
The union also accused the company of negotiating in bad faith. However, in a strong worded letter to the union recently, the company's managing director, Arthur Siwawa reiterated that the company has never disregarded the health, safety, and general welfare of its employees. He seemed shocked by the union’s petition. “We are committed to continuously provide a health and safe working environment for our employees and to maintain positive relations with the Union,” Siwawa said.
Siwawa directly responded to key issues raised by the union in an itemised manner. He said that for the past 12 months, several issues have been resolved amicably by the parties through structured bargaining platforms. He said BRBB and the union have been bargaining on matters relating to the employee welfare since the beginning of July 2022. “It is also important to note that during this period, no dispute has been referred for mediation, arbitration nor litigation as provided for in the recognition agreement.
This is glaring evidence that bears witness to how cooperative and non-confrontational the process of resolving issues has been between the parties. Contrary to the union’s submission, BRBB views its relationship with the union as progressive and positive,” Siwawa said. He also noted that talks with the union on various issues relating to the welfare of employees over the past 12 months have yielded very good results. “The parties successfully concluded wage negotiations and settlement in November 2022.
The recognition agreement is ready for execution after the parties successfully concluded negotiations. The Group Life Insurance Scheme was also implemented in June 2023 following successful consultations between the Parties.” In addition, Siwawa noted that in May 2023, the parties agreed that during negotiations, the costs for accommodation and meals for the union National Executive Committee (NEC) will be to BRBB’s account. One of the key allegations made by BMWU to the mine management was poor lighting at the mine. The union alleges that incidents caused by poor lighting have not been reported. But Siwawa refuted the claims.
“We put it on record that we have reported all incidents that occurred in the mine to the relevant stakeholders as required under the Botswana’s Mines, Quarries, Works, and Machinery Act Cap 44:02. From our reading of the union’s demand, it is clear that the alleged failure to comply with legal requirements for reporting incidents simply stems from the union’s lack of visibility of incident reports submitted to the Mine Manager,” he said. The union also said the solar lights used in the mine have poor illumination capabilities. This assertion by the union is incorrect according to Siwawa. He said the solar lights currently in operation produce adequate intensity. “They are fit for purpose and comply with the minimum illumination standards recommended by the Mine Health and Safety Council of South Africa Ref: SIM 160701 Final Report (Proposed Illumination Guidelines for Equipment Operating in the South African Mining Industry (SAMI)), referenced as industry best practice.
The lights are also compliant with regulation 166 of Botswana’s Mines, Quarries, Works, and Machinery Act Cap 44:02,” said Siwawa. The allegations that foreigners were hired without understudies were also strongly denied by Siwawa. “The recruitment and deployment of foreigners at BRBB is fully compliant with the Labor Laws of Botswana. BRBB has a skills transfer program which was submitted to and approved by the Commissioner of Labour before the recruitment and deployment of the said foreigners. We are open to sharing the skills transfer program with the union.” He added that the current BRBB’s expatriate compliment is only 2% of the total compliment (only 4 non-citizens out of a total of 181 employees). These expatriates are employed for their specific specialised skills and experience for which there is a scarce skill pool in the country, Siwawa said.
BMWU president, Joseph Tsimako confirmed receipt of the letter but told Mmegi that the union is not satisfied with the response from the BRBB. He said that the director tried by all means to exonerate the company from any form of wrongdoing although the information provided by union members on the ground is very contrary. We are still assessing their response and consulting our members. We will respond to them in the next few days,” Tsimako told Mmegi yesterday.