UDC 2015 Labour Day Message
Correspondent | Monday May 4, 2015 18:00
The government should therefore appreciate this priceless workers’ contribution as we commemorate Labour Day. There have been countless cases of corruption and mismanagement leading to Botswana losing of billions of Pula.
There are records of poor working and living conditions for the workers, as well as gross wealth inequalities, and so on. These could have long sparked national disturbances but the workers, who had the power, restrained themselves for the peace of this country.
We have seen how workers and opposition parties have thrown their countries into wars and endless disturbances in other countries, even in the SADC region. Hats off to the Botswana labour movement and other civil society organisations for the peace they have given this country. This is reason enough for the government to be on the forefront of supporting these organisations, even funding them, instead of planning their downfall.
It is the workers’ dedication, commitment and hard-work that has seen Botswana rise like a phoenix from the poorest economies, to the middle income status. The saddest thing is that the wealth has not trickled down to the majority of Batswana as the rich get richer and the poor poorer. The Botswana labour movement has to unite for it to succeed in the general improvement of the social, economic and political fortunes of this country. The Botswana Federation of Public Sector Unions (BOFEPUSU) Labour Day theme, “Striving for the Dignity and Worth of the Working Class in Botswana” is to the point and can only be achieved by a united and focused work force.
“Striving for the Dignity and Worth of the Working Class in Botswana” will not come on a silver platter. All workers should therefore attend the May Day commemorations around the country. It is a day where all workers under BOFEPUSU and Botswana Federation of Trade Unions (BFTU) should come together in large numbers to celebrate their struggles and successes. Botswana’s wealth today is attributed to the committed workers who have worked hard and some have been affected by work related diseases, and some died along the way. Workers safety and health at the workplace is very crucial and employers should ensure that this is not compromised as there have been fatal and serious accidents in different sectors. Workers still complain of poor working and living conditions while the employer continues to rake in profits. Job losses at the mines and other sectors are a concern. The issue of the controversial scanners at Debswana mines does not only raise issues of undermining workers’ dignity, but the catastrophic health hazards that will be felt years to come. While our country has been rich for years, the actual wealth has not trickled down to most ordinary workers. The wealth of the country is still concentrated in the hands of the few who even continue to plunder the resources. Workers should therefore not only use May Day for celebrations, but the whole month and beyond to strategise and ensure that their dignity and worth is recognised.
On reflection, it is clear that the recent public service salary increment was not done in good faith by the government party as the party was privy to some information.
The domestic labour legislation states that parties should provide all necessary information needed so that negotiations are conducted in good faith. The government party was aware of the impending tariff increment in electricity, water, postal services, etc. All these have been increased by more than 6percent (7.5; 10 and 15percent), and will obviously erode the salary increment to zero.
Inflation in maize products will be in June and so will be the general prices of other goods and services. Some of the workers have statutorily moved from a lower tax bracket to a higher one due to the 6 percent salary adjustment, hence losing a substantial amount to the taxman.
This means that public service employees will be in a worse off position than they were before the widely acclaimed meagre 6 percent increment. And the Cabinet had long approved all these increments when government party negotiated with BOFEPUSU. The government gave with one hand, and with another rough hard hand took away a whole lot from the poor toiling working class. This will not bring any dignity to the workers who are already trapped in debt and poverty. The government is stubbornly refusing to appreciate the worth of the workers. This, however, is motivation enough for the workers to fearlessly fight for their rights, dignity and worth.
All workers from the public and private sector should therefore ensure that a caring Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) government is voted in 2019. The BDP has failed the working class in Botswana and to truly move Botswana forward, the BDP has to be removed from power. Workers should know that their survival now lies with political power which is in their hands and they should exploit this to the full. They should dismiss with disdain calls that politics is only a preserve for the politicians.
As we commemorate the international workers day, we should also find ways of solving xenophobia. The recent attacks on the migrant workers in South Africa are inhuman and should be rejected, as it does not promote dignity at all. An injury to one is an injury to all. Expatriate workers have contributed to the economy of this country in the various sectors of our economy. No nation can survive without the expertise brought by the migrant workers. There should be clear laws and policies on migrant labour that promote co-existence and good labour relations. Thank you
Justin Hunyepa
UDC Labour Secretary