BOFEPUSU slams Khama

Pini Bothoko | Wednesday April 9, 2014 15:35

 

The meeting was to update civil servants on progress at the Bargaining Council and how the federation intends to respond to the employer’s proposed four percent salary increment.

Public servants who thronged the civic centre hall heard BOFEPUSU Deputy Secretary Ketlhalefile Motshegwa lambasting the Department of Public Service Management (DPSM) for paralysing negotiations with them.

He said the DPSM and by extension, government: “…absconded from the bargaining council,”  thereby rendering the process a fruitless exercise.

“We have been asking for a pyramid approach towards salary increment and improvement of conditions of service.

“The government would not budge saying there was no chance there can be any better increment,” he said.

Motshegwa disclosed that the 2013/14 negotiations are still pending.

He pleaded with the employer to revert to them (the 2013/14 negotiations) before  addressing the 2014/15 negotiations, but the employer turned a deaf ear.

“We do not want four percent in this era where things are expensive. We want at least 10 percent increment,” said Motshegwa.

He added: “We are Batswana and have the right to freedom of expression, but it looks like we are not free anymore as there is someone leading citizens like soldiers.”

“Let’s stand together, fight for freedom and our rights as public servants, stop doing voluntary work like marking examinations and invigilation,” he said.

Motshegwa said that they were told that the cabinet would first discuss the conditions of service, but it appears to be a falsehood.

He said they were not happy that Khama  announced the four percent increment at a Kgotla meeting in Kachikau.

He said both the announcement and subsequent publication of the increment in the Daily News were done before the negotiations were concluded.

He said that this was the reason they decided to apply for an urgent court order to rein in the President.

“We have to show Kgosi Kgolo ya Bangwato Ian Khama that this is our country and we have nowhere else to go.

“We can only do that as a unity. It is a battle and there will be challenges.  Be prepared to face them and remember that you are fighting for the freedom of our future generations,” said Motshegwa.

Motshegwa disclosed that BOFEPUSU intends to hold countrywide demonstrations next week and he pleaded with members to come in large numbers to ensure their demands are heard.

The Botswana Teacher’s Union (BTU) Secretary General Ibo Kenosi called on civil servants to vote for the right party that will take them out of the pain they are currently living in.

“I hope you have the cards as general elections are approaching.  When casting your votes put in mind what you have been through,” he said.

“In October we should have reduced the numbers of people who were dancing yesterday on television welcoming their 56 Toyota Hilux,” he added, referring to the weekend BDP Manifesto launch in Gaborone.