Parties agree to end BURS strike
Oarabile Mosikare | Tuesday August 4, 2015 14:56
On Friday the union met with the BURS management to identify ways and means of reaching a common understanding in view of ending the industrial action. The BOPEU secretary general Topias Marenga confirmed the Friday meeting.
“The meeting was to break the impasse between us and BURS. Batswana and other stakeholders like the business community have been urging us to discuss the issue with BURS to find a common ground,” said Marenga.
He said they proposed to the tax revenue collector that the workers are not opposed to the six percent increase of salaries and allowances like the government did in April. Marenga said this proposal is a compromise and if the BURS were adamant about its six percent proposal, the union would submit that for arbitration. He said: “If the BURS agrees to our proposal, the strikers would go back to work and the cause of arbitration will continue.”
Marenga revealed that BURS had asked for a break to consult with their principals but at the moment the strike continues. For her part, BURS communication specialist Refilwe Moonwa also confirmed the Friday afternoon meeting.
“We heard them and we are going to consult with our principal which is government,” said Moonwa.
She said in terms of service, there are areas where employees on strike try to help customers in less optimal times. “We are still assisting the customers.” She would not quantify the losses the tax revenue collector is losing on a daily basis since the strike commenced.
By some calculations, at least P11 million is going uncollected in taxes, customs and excise everyday of the strike.