Govt’s P256m not enough for salary adjustments
Goitsemodimo Kaelo | Friday September 12, 2025 12:01
In recent times, the talks suffered several adjournments with parties failing to reach common ground on different issues, such as the two percent intra notches differentials proposal. A statement from Tobokani Rari, on behalf of the coalition of the 5+1 trade unions, stated that the employer has asked for a recess. “Following our communique today, 10th September 2025 that negotiations will commence tomorrow, 11th September 2025, after the employer requested an adjournment on Monday 8th September 2025, the employer late today (10/09/25) requested an extension of the adjournment,”
the statement said. “The employer, in her request, indicated that the reason for the extension of the adjournment is that she has not yet concluded her consultations and, as such, requested that the continuation of the negotiations be postponed to 15th and 17th September 2025. “We once again call upon members to exercise extreme patience and remain trusting in the leadership of their unions as they navigate this challenging path,” Rari further said. Meanwhile, sources close to the developments say that the employer party’s decision to request an extended adjournment to Monday came upon the realisation that the proposed P256 million for allowances adjustments for the financial year 2025-26 will not last for the whole financial year as expected. The sources claim that upon discovering that the budget will only last for seven months, the union party made a counter-proposal for the adjustment using the same budget.
The union party’s proposed simulation across salary scales is as follows: All A scales be adjusted by P652.20, B scale P500, P450 for all C scale and P400 for D scale. On the other hand, the government has proposed an adjustment of P652 for A2-A3 scales and P400 for A1-D1 scales. It is said that this simulation suggests that the budget would last for six months if the employer does not come up with additional budget. According to leaked information from the government enclave, a budget simulation done by the union party suggests that there will be a need for an extra P140 million to cover the remaining five months. This new development, if they are to go with the agreement they made with the Botswana Land Board and Local Authorities and Health Workers Union (BLLAHWU), has caused discomfort for the employer party, as they did not anticipate this when they reached an agreement with BLLAHWU a month ago.
Equally, the trade union party has expressed concern and is accusing the employer party of negotiating in bad faith. The union party, which recently petitioned Minister of State President, Moeti Mohwasa, has raised serious concerns that the 2025-26 salary negotiations have stalled as a direct result of poor leadership. They blame the Director of the Directorate of Public Service Management, Gaone Macholo, and the lack of interest by the Permanent Secretary to the President, Emma Peloetletse. While sources say Macholo has been placed on forced leave, DPSM principal public relations officer, Chandapiwa Maele has refuted the claims. 'Please note that the Director for DPSM is on annual leave, which is her right as per working conditions. She will be back in the office on 23rd September 2025,' Maele said in response to Mmegi's enquiry.