BOFEPUSU struggles with BCL workers
Oarabile Mosikare | Friday April 29, 2016 14:17
BOFEPUSU deputy secretary general, Ketlhalefile Motshegwa said Selebi-Phikwe was chosen as the venue for May Day commemorations because of the looming challenges faced by workers there, particularly in the mining industry. “The federation is going there to provide inspiration and solidarity to those workers and to try and push for workers’ rights and saving of jobs,” explained Motshegwa.
He said BOFEPUSU will be commemorating Labour Day countrywide at all its regions. The celebrations will be held in the smoky copper mining town under the theme: “Protecting Collective Bargaining, Advancing and Deepening Trade Unions’ Right.” The Workers Day celebrations will be preceded by a labour symposium to be held on April 30 in Selebi-Phikwe.
Duma FM will broadcast the symposium live between 2pm-6pm. Panellists are Ruth Maphorisa, the Director of Public Service Management, Tiro Sebina, a lecturer at University of Botswana, Oarabile Molefe, a law partner at Marata Molefe Attorneys, Jack Tlhagale, the president of Botswana Mine Workers Union and Motshegwa of BOFEPUSU. “The purpose of the symposium is to have dialogue with various stakeholders on labour relations issues. The guest speaker for the Workers Day celebrations is the Minister of Labour and Home Affairs, Edwin Batshu.
The May Day celebrations will be held under the banner of BOFEPUSU and will involve workers both in the public and the private sector. It’s an event for all workers and all stakeholders,” explained Motshegwa.
He continued: “This year’s May Day celebrations come at a time when government has unleashed terror against trade unions as evidenced by stifling of workers’ rights, harassment of trade union leaders, diminishing conditions of service and welfare of workers.
It is a day of introspection of the workers struggle and to map a way forward on tackling the struggle.
It is a period for workers who are on the receiving end of exploitation and oppression to rebel against cruel social relations by seizing moments and wage a meaningful revolution against their class suppression.”
The militant unionist said it is critical that workers unify and be committed to the working class. “This is a moment to enhance working class consciousness for workers to know that this is a class struggle and that it requires dedicated efforts, ideological discipline, trustworthy and principled leadership and active membership.
The event will be attended by members of BOFEPUSU, being the Botswana Land Board and Local Authorities and Health Workers Union (BLLAHWU), the Botswana Sectors of Educators Trade Union (BOSETU), the Botswana Teachers Union (BTU) and the National Amalgamated Local and Central Government and Parastatal Workers Union (NALCGPWU), Botswana Hotel and Tourism Workers Union (BOHTWU), Cashiers Workers Union (CWU), and other invited unions such as Botswana Media and Allied Workers Union (BOMAWU) and BMWU. The May Day activities will be live on Gabz FM.