The unprecedentedly long negotiations that tested UDC/unions relations
Goitsemodimo Kaelo | Friday December 19, 2025 14:39
The birth of the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) could in part be attributed to the labour unions, who have for a long time called for a united opposition that can dislodge the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) from power.
The idea and the impetus for forming the UDC came from the labour movement, specifically the Botswana Federation of Public, Private & Parastatal Sector Unions (BOFEPUSU) following the 2011 strike.
During the 2014 General Election, BOFEPUSU came out in support of the UDC and had what was known as a hit list while rallying its members to vote out some of the BDP Cabinet members who stood for elections.
After the UDC finally won attained State power, there was a lot of expectations, especially an improved relationship between the employer party and labour party. The UDC had promised to transform labour by amongst other things, introducing the P4,000 minimum wage.
The 2025-26 talks provided the first litmus test to the relationship between the UDC government and the labour unions and the verdict is that it has failed the test.
While the negotiations have been concluded, it was without the usually bickering, protraction, court battles and finger-pointing to say the least. Nothing seems to have changed and according to the union leaders, things seem to have gotten worse. The relationship started on a rocky start, with the unions accusing government of negotiating in bad faith and using a divide and rule tactic after Botswana Land Board, Local Authorities, and Health Workers Union (BLLAHWU) pulled out of the labour union bloc to go solo.
The unions operating under the Five+1 Cooperating Trade Unions (5+1 CTU) have described their just-concluded salary and conditions of service with the employer as the most toxic and acrimonious, accusing government of negotiating in bad faith throughout the process.
These unions are the National Amalgamated Local, Central, Parastatal and Government Workers Union (NALCPGWU), Botswana Public Employees Union (BOPEU), Botswana Teachers Union (BTU), Botswana Sectors of Educators Trade Union (BOSETU), Botswana Nurses Union (BONU) and Botswana Doctors Union (BDU).
The government and 5+1 CTU concluded their negotiations in October, marking an end to an unprecedented six-month journey marred by litigation along the way.
The negotiations between the parties began in May 20 this year, and ended on October 21, a record period of negotiations in Botswana according to the unions’ leaders.
“The just-ended negotiations were not easy and not peaceful. There was no honesty and were (negotiations) characterised by disrespect for unions. It is not true that the negotiations were smooth and went well. First thing, once you conclude, you issue a joint statement, that did not happen because we did agree,” chief negotiator for union party, Robert Rabasimane said during a press conference following the negotiations.
“We also have to do a joint media brief, which we did not agree to because we were going to speak in different tongues. Things are not okay. The employer o re tlhobogantse le maloko a rona (The employer has pitted us against the union members),” he added.
Rabasimane pointed out that they said the collective agreement without prejudice because they believed that workers’ interest must come first.
“We gave the employer the latitude to implement what they wish and want to do for their workers, but that’s not a negotiated agreement,” he said.
The unions accused the employer party of displaying a careless attitude and disrespect towards the union party throughout the negotiations.
The union leaders warned that if the UDC does not change its attitude towards the unions, it could meet the same fate that befell its predecessor, the BDP.
As it, the 5+1 unions and the government have agreed to disagree on the issue of the P4,000 minimum wage while the two percent intra grade differentials will be settled through the courts.
It is safe to say that the relationship between the UDC government and labour unions began on a wrong footing.