Gov't, 5+1 CTU resume salary negotiations
Staff Writer | Wednesday October 15, 2025 06:00
The negotiations were halted on September 17, 2025, after the parties could not reach an agreement, and no mutually agreed-upon date was set for the finalisation of the talks. A press release from the 5+1 cooperating unions says the negotiating parties, being the Employer Party and the 5+1 cooperating unions, have agreed that the talks will resume on Friday, September 17 and continue on September 20 in Gaborone.
'Leadership of the 5+1 CTU would like to express its sincere appreciation to the general membership for their understanding, and extreme patience as it continues to fight for, not only the improvement of conditions of service in the public service but more importantly to restore good faith bargaining in the public sector,' reads the release authored by Agang Gabana, Coordinator of the 5+1 CTU.
The negotiations have been dragging on for some time, characterised by several adjournments as the parties failed to reach common ground on different issues, such as the two percent intra-notch differentials proposal. At some point, the government reached an agreement with the Botswana Land Board, Local Authorities, and Health Workers Union (BLLAHWU), after the latter broke ranks with other trade unions, citing unreasonable demands by the union party for its decision. That decision resulted in a court case, as other unions interdicted the government from implementing that agreement.
The negotiations were adjourned three times in September after the employer party allegedly realised that the proposed P256 million for allowances adjustments for the financial year 2025–2026 will not last for the whole financial year as expected.
It is said that the budget simulations had reflected that the proposed budget would only last for seven months, meaning extra funds are needed to cover the rest of the year. The discovery forced the employer to request an adjournment to seek further mandate from their bosses. However, the Employer Party is said to have since increased the budget by a further P156 million.