Warring trade unions urged to unite
Chakalisa Dube | Friday May 6, 2016 11:40
Morgan Moseki said that lack of unity among trade unions gives government the liberty to do as she wishes against trade union movements.
Speaking at the Botswana Public Employees Union’s (BOPEU) Labour Day commemoration last Sunday, Moseki said the unions are stronger together.
“It is important that you speak with one voice as the labour movement. If you are divided you give your employer the opportunity to take advantage of your divisions. The unilateral decision to increase salaries by three percent is an example of this,” Moseki said.
The government increased salaries before the Public Service Bargaining Council (PSBC), which is made up of unions and the government had convened and discussed salary hikes for 2016-2017.
The court has since reversed the salary increment. A stalemate between BOPEU and Botswana Federation of Public Sector Unions (BOFEPUSU) has resulted in the paralysis of the PSBC in a matter that has since been decided through a court of law.
BOPEU holds a stern view that no federation or group of unions acting jointly can be allowed to participate in the PSBC while BOFEPUSU maintains the contrary. The court ruled in favour of BOPEU and ordered that the two bodies resolve their dispute through a mediation process.
He added: “Those who watch the animal kingdom on television would have noticed that lions and all other animals of prey look for buffaloes with broken horns or limping ones. “These are easy pickings. Don’t become easy pickings by allowing divisions amongst yourselves. It is important that for the sake of your members in the entire public service you speak with one voice. This is friendly advice.”
Moseki said that in the past, it is unity that has led to the enactment of more worker friendly laws in the country.
“This is by no means an attempt at saying our laws are perfect. We have a long way to go. You should continue with one strong voice to lobby for the abolishment of any draconian laws that increase the plight of the working class,” he said.
Moseki also said that as unions deliberate and celebrate their past achievements, they should not lose sight of where they want to be.
“Use your past achievements as a fuel to achieve better and more results by striving to be better than you are now for the greatest tribute to the legacy you have thus far achieved,” he said.
In another revelation, BOPEU deputy secretary general Ketlhapeleng Karabo said that the three percent salary increment should be allowed to stand until such a time that the PSBC is procedurally constituted to convene, negotiate and announce a substantial award.
“The award and a subsequent order to withdraw has the potential to create instability to the employees’ budget and cause severe financial stress,” he said.
The commemoration attracted BOPEU members from the Frankmarts (Francistown, Nata, Kasane, Masunga, Ramokgwebana, Tutume, Tonota, Sowa, Pandamatenga and Gweta) region.
The day was themed, “Celebrating Achievements of Workers in the Wake of the 50th Anniversary of Independence’”