Gov't, unions revive bargaining council
Mpho Mokwape | Wednesday October 29, 2025 06:46
This development follows the recent signing of the PSBC Constitution by the government and several public sector trade unions. The signing reportedly marked a renewed partnership between the employer, represented by the DPSM, and the trade unions that represent public service workers. The unions include the Botswana Public Employees Union (BOPEU), Botswana Nurses Union (BONU), Botswana Teachers Union (BTU), Botswana Sectors of Educators Trade Union (BOSETU), National Amalgamated Local and Central Government and Parastatal Workers Union (NALCGPWU), Botswana Doctors Union (BDU), and the Botswana Land and Local Authorities and Health Workers Union (BLLAHWU).
According to the DPSM, the signing of the constitution is a significant milestone towards the official registration of the PSBC.
'The registration process will be completed through the Office of the Commissioner of Labour and is expected to be finalised by the end of November 2025. Once registered, the council will begin its operations and resume its key role in the country’s labour relations system,' reads the DPSM statement.
The PSBC serves as a formal platform for negotiations between the government and public service unions. Its purpose is to provide a structured and fair environment where both parties can discuss issues related to salaries, benefits, working conditions, and the general welfare of public service employees.
Through collective bargaining, the council aims to prevent conflicts and ensure that decisions affecting workers are made through consultation and mutual agreement. In a recent statement to announce the signing, DPSM director Gaone Macholo emphasised that the revival of the PSBC reflects a shared commitment to transparency, cooperation, and mutual respect.
'The new agreement demonstrates both the government’s and the unions’ determination to strengthen dialogue and improve labour relations within the public service,' she said.
She noted that the renewed partnership is an important step toward maintaining industrial harmony and enhancing service delivery to the public. When the PSBC becomes fully operational after registration, it is expected to set clear guidelines for negotiations, establish fair dispute resolution mechanisms, and create a framework for continuous engagement between the government and employees.
It is also expected to encourage a spirit of cooperation among all parties involved in the public service. The DPSM director has urged all stakeholders, including employees, union leaders, and government departments, to support the smooth implementation of the council. Macholo also reminded the public that the PSBC’s main goal is to serve as a voice for employees while promoting a balanced and sustainable approach to labour relations.
'The signing of the PSBC Constitution marks a new chapter for the country’s public service, one that promises stronger dialogue, fairer negotiations, and a better working environment for thousands of government employees across the country,' she said.
Meanwhile, the revival of the PSBC comes after it has been inactive for several years, reportedly due to various administrative and legal challenges. Its revival is therefore seen as a crucial development for both the government and the unions, as it restores a key institution for collective bargaining.
Public servants across the country are said to have long awaited the council’s return, as it provides a legitimate avenue for their concerns and proposals to be heard and addressed. The revival of the PSBC is also said to symbolise progress in efforts to professionalise and modernise public service management in the country by ensuring that issues of employment and welfare are handled through structured dialogue, and the government hopes to promote trust, fairness, and accountability in the workplace.