Masisi charms unions amidst bargaining tensions
Ookeditse Malesela | Thursday January 17, 2019 09:43
The meeting came about after the president of the Botswana Public Employees Union (BOPEU), Masego Mogwera called upon the President to advice him to look into the issue of salary increments because it seems to be taking long to address the matter and open the talks.
“The President therefore assured us that he would inform the relevant people to address the issue so that all decisions can be finalised in April.
Even though we didn’t state by how much percentage the increase will be, we are promised the rise in salaries within the public sector (is certain),” she said.
National Amalgamated Local and Central Government and Parastatal Workers Union chairperson, Obeile Molamu also added that from the President’s facial expression and the tone that Masisi used in their exchange it was apparent there is commitment. Molamu believes that public servants’ salaries will be increased on a set timeframe.
“In his statement Masisi did not say ‘I will ask the government negotiators to speed up their discussions’ but rather said ‘I will tell them to do so’ hence we expect that before the 1st of April the discussions will be done,” Molamu said.