Voluntary exit plan under fire as BOFEPUSU raises concerns
staff writer | Monday July 6, 2026 06:00
BOFEPUSU Secretary General Robert Rabasimane said in a statement that the federation rejects what it describes as a unilateral and illegal move disguised as public service reforms. According to Rabasimane, Macholo’s actions have reinforced the union's long-standing concerns about alleged mismanagement within the public service.
'This is not reform,' Rabasimane said. 'It is retrenchment by stealth and an unsolicited provocation.'
The controversy follows the circulation of a savingram inviting eligible public officers to apply for voluntary exit from the public service. Rabasimane said they noted with utter shock of the existence of a document entitled 'Leadership Transformation Programme', whose main intent is apparently to disseminate information on the DPSM's voluntary separation.
However, BOFEPUSU argues that the programme raises more questions than answers. The federation says the document fails to explain whether the exercise is aimed at addressing poor performance, redundancy or downsizing, making it difficult to understand the government's broader intentions for the public service.
The union further contends that the exercise contravenes Section 25 of Botswana's Employment Act, as well as provisions of the Employment and Labour Relations Act, which require government to notify the Director of Labour and consult recognised trade unions before embarking on any restructuring or retrenchment exercise.
According to Rabasimane, no such consultations have taken place.
He questioned how a public officer of the Director's seniority could proceed with such a significant policy initiative without complying with statutory requirements, adding that it remains unclear whether Cabinet or other senior government authorities were fully informed of the process.
BOFEPUSU also expressed concern over the potential operational impact of the programme. While the initiative targets senior officers, the federation says there is no indication whether the positions vacated through voluntary separation will be filled or permanently abolished.
The union argues that such uncertainty could disrupt reporting structures, supervision and implementation of government programmes, particularly for officers in lower grades who may be expected to assume additional responsibilities without a clear organisational framework.
Another issue raised by BOFEPUSU is the approval process. Although certain employees may qualify to apply for the package, the document reportedly states that eligibility does not automatically guarantee approval. Rabasimane questioned the criteria that would be used to determine who is allowed to leave and who is not, saying the absence of transparent guidelines opens the process to possible abuse.
'If this is about performance, what happens when those regarded as under-performing choose not to apply?' he asked.
The federation also raised concerns about the financial implications of the programme. It noted that voluntary separation packages typically include separation benefits, notice pay, relocation allowances and settlement of outstanding obligations such as mortgages, training costs and loans.
BOFEPUSU questioned whether government has budgeted for what could become a substantial financial commitment, particularly at a time when authorities have repeatedly cited budgetary constraints.
The union further argued that if government genuinely intends to reform the public service to improve efficiency, then the process should be transparent, legally compliant and inclusive of all stakeholders rather than targeting a specific category of employees.
Citing international labour standards, BOFEPUSU said the exercise also violates International Labour Organization Convention 144, which promotes tripartite consultation between governments, employers and workers on labour-related matters.
The federation has demanded that DPSM immediately suspend the voluntary separation initiative and rescind all related decisions until proper consultations have been conducted in accordance with the law.
Rabasimane warned that BOFEPUSU is prepared to challenge the programme through all available avenues should government proceed without engaging trade unions.