In solidarity with BURS workers

Correspondent | Monday August 3, 2015 16:30

 

Customs and Exercise as a sector alone contributed P15.97 billion or 31.8 percent to the total revenue and grants in 2014/15 and projected to contribute 29.5 percent or P15.3 billion in 2015/16. Second only after minerals sector projected to contribute 34.4 percent or P19.03 billion.

For the second week, Botswana border posts are not operational, businesses are not being serviced inclusive of meeting payment deadlines, taxes are not collected due to BURS workers industrial action as elaborated by Director General of BURS during interviews in different media houses. In any country, absence from duty by 80 percent of national customs and exercise service centre workers is a national crisis that dictates a response by the Minister responsible due to massive loss of revenue and great inconvenience to locals and internationals seeking service across the country. But this is Botswana, where the elected are masters of the electorates, where the ruling elite does its business without due care to the aspirations and expectations of the society. The strike is on its second week and the Minister responsible is roaming around Gaborone in his black BMW . The end result will be significant reduction to the projected growth of P16.3 billion in a volatile and unpredictable local and global economic outlook. The trickledown effect of the fourteen days strike will affect Batswana in terms of trimming developmental projects and services regardless of where you are in the country. The country has not recovered from the devastating aftermath of the 2011 Public Service strike which its root cause is very similar to the BURS strike, employers disregard to the basic bargaining process principles of total commitment to a win-win situation and negotiating in good faith. Economic diversification from minerals under the ruling party remains a non-achievable dream which has not only slowed Botswana’s economic growth but also kills morale of the young and upcoming generation of innovative entrepreneurs, leaders, performing artists, workers and sports personnel. BDP government stifles the young generation’s thinking, opportunities and capabilities through unnecessary delays in their everyday line of work. It must be noted that this strike affects the youth, economically and psychologically, more as they cross borders in  huge numbers, and make most of BURS employment.

BCP therefore calls for a paradigm shift from the colonial labour relations mentality and archaic thinking of the employer being the boss to a win-win employer- worker situation through labour relations reforms which are vital for economic growth and diversification. BURS remains a profitable parastatal that can afford wage increment of at least 10 percent and for government to restrict BURS Board to wage increment of 6 percent just because government workers got 6 percent wage increment is very unfair, non progressive and a deterrent to productivity.

The recent secretive 39 percent wage increment of His Excellency, Cabinet and Members of Parliament clearly defines the low wage scenario of a Botswana worker. It beats logic why two workers in a same “poor worker wage scenario” will get two significantly different wage increments of 6 percent and 39 percent in a non pyramid wage increment process. BCP in its 2014 manifesto, page 18-19, and in line with its Social Democratic Program, acknowledges the fact that 60 percent of workers in Botswana are categorised “the working poor” due to very low wages. It must be noted that Botswana with a higher GDP has the lowest wages in Southern Africa. BCP, therefore, reiterates its call in its social contract with the workers for introduction of a living wage that is aligned to the cost of living in all sectors of employment.We wish to acknowledge BOPEU for maximising pressure on the employer to attain economic freedom for its members.  BOPEU continues to stand out as a progressive trade union whose core mandate is visible within the society. The current labour relations system with no solutions for the working poor exacerbates exploitation and has to be exposed for its barbarity. Slave wages have no space in the current century where purchasing power through real increases is the order of the day. BURS workers must be vigilant in their course as the workers struggle always brings results. Social transformation amongst workers and their families can only be realised through economic inputs such as living wages.

Workers must not be confused by the comedy of negotiations witnessed in the bargaining units of most employment sectors of this country. Autocracy remains a serious threat to collective labour agreements and bargaining process due to a labour relations monitoring system that finds it difficult to undertake its mandate, a deliberate scenario by the ruling party with intention to destroy historic labour movement and workers gains. The difference of 4 percent between the workers demand and employers offer is too little for a fragile economy to be comprised. While anticipating that the ruling party’s response to this industrial action would be to declare BURS workers as essential services, BCP reiterates its position to promote social dialogue, harmonious industrial relations and effective bargaining units in all sectors of employment through legislative changes required for ensuring work place justice. BCP is consistent and clear in being ideologically and morally on the side of the workers struggle in these difficult times.

Amidst this entire governance crisis, we call upon our youth and workers in general not to despair as BCP policies will deliver a citizen led economic alternative which centers on economic diversification and creation of opportunities to enhance domestic production capacity. As Batswana, we have a responsibility to demand accountability and good governance from the BDP government through the ballot box. An opportunity exists in Goodhope-Mabule to stop mishandling of the economy by voting for a party with pro-Batswana policies. As BCP, we offer ourselves once again as the alternative under the leadership of Dumelang Saleshando under the slogan “READY TO LEAD”.

 

Goretetse Kekgonegile

BCP Shadow Minister of Labour