BOFEPUSU to stage mass demonstrations

Goitsemodimo Kaelo | Monday December 19, 2016 15:35

The federation has adopted seven new resolutions, which include holding countrywide demonstrations against government “misrule”. Delegates at the congress agreed with the decision by the central executive committee to take government to court over the enactment of the Trade Dispute Act and the scope of the Public Service Bargaining Council scope interpretation.

The federation also resolved that it should hold organised demonstrations in 2017 and raise public awareness about laws that government has enacted which violates the rights of workers.

The federation’s general secretary Tobokani Rari told delegates that the central committee would engage regions to prepare for demonstrations, with special focus on the 2019 general elections. He said that delegates have also endorsed to build and re-energise BOFEPUSU structures.

“All regional leaders present here should take the initiative to call BOFEPUSU members in their respective regions to build the structures,” he said.

Rari also stated that the congress has agreed to fight for the protection of the principle of the Public Service Bargaining Council (PSBC) and bargaining in Botswana and not give priority to salary increment. He said that the bigger picture is to protect the principles of bargaining for the future. The federation also endorsed the suggestion to engage with other stakeholders, which include regional and international trade unions, to inform them about the violation of workers rights in the country and the decision by government to enact laws meant to take away the right of workers to unionise.

The congress further agreed that the federation should find other means of raising money as its coffers have been severely impacted by litigations in recent times. Rari stressed that the need to find alternative revenue streams because government has implored tactics to dry their coffers.

BOFEPUSU president Innocent Tshukudu told the delegates that government has divided the public service by awarding a three percent salaries increase to public service workers who are not members of the federation.

He said that this has affected service delivery. Tshukudu stated that they would launch a campaign against cabinet ministers they view as the main cause of problems affecting the workers.