BMWU battles to survive post-BCL
Onalenna Kelebeile | Thursday January 12, 2017 16:26
The two mines shed up to 5,000 jobs, erasing P200,000 in the Union’s income and imperiling its finances. Hundreds of other jobs were lost at Boseto, Mowana and Thakadu mines last year, as well as more among mining contractors.
BMWU general secretary, Moffat Ramokate said the organisation’s finances were in trouble and the investment firm was expected to lead efforts out of the red.
“We do not have any investment on the ground as we rely on members’ monthly subscriptions for the day-to-day running of the union business. We have already started pushing for some investment projects and we are already at an advanced stage.
“We have already registered a company, appointed a board of directors and consultants are currently working to have the company on the ground and fully operational,” he said.
He added that some of the Union’s projects would include construction of residential houses for rental in Letlhakane and Orapa as well as a Mining Academy where the Union will train artisans on mining disciplines then supply skilled personnel to mining houses and other companies.
Ramokate added that BMWU also wanted to enter into an agreement with mining companies for the supply of skilled labour and also register with Botswana Training Authority (BOTA).
“We are also planning to set up a commercial bank to venture into financial business. We will assist Union members and extend to members of the community to provide affordable rates and attractive payment plans,” he noted.
He explained that all these efforts are meant to cushion the Union from the loss of members’ subscriptions, while generating revenues for existing members.
“BMWU is the oldest, but poorest Union, hence the need to look at other avenues so that it doesn’t only rely on monthly subscriptions,” he noted.