State media snubs BOFEPUSU Labour Day celebration
Bonte Seepi | Thursday May 4, 2017 16:15
The labour movement did not take their absence well, saying it was a continuation of partisanship in the deployment of State resources.
Mmegi is informed that the State media houses were given an order from Office of the President (OP) instructing them to skip the BOFEPUSU event. Government and the federation are involved in an acrimonious wage dispute that has seen the collapse of the Public Service Bargaining Council.
The absence of the State media was noted by several speakers at the event, which was also graced by the director of Public Service Management (DPSM), Ruth Maphorisa and Assistant Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Employment, Productivity and Skills Development, Pearl Ramokoka.
“It is important for the media to be present in such events so as to disseminate information to the society as issues discussed here are vital,” Ramokoka said in her remarks.
BOFEPUSU chairperson (Central District), Ace Mosiakgabo said the State media was invited but while they ignored the invite, public servants will still go ahead and celebrate.
“Btv only gives BOFEPUSU coverage when they have lost their cases against the Government. I urge you not to bother listening to RB1 and other State media as their stories are one-sided,” he said.
BOFEPUSU president, Johannes Tshukudu shared the same sentiments, saying Btv did not have the interests of Batswana at heart as it only broadcasts Government initiatives and “how bootlicking is important at BDP”.
“Put these things into consideration when you pledge your votes in the 2019 general elections. As BOFEPUSU we are trying to build a healthy nation, but the employer is doing the opposite.
“Therefore there are only two voices that can be listened to, being the Umbrella for Democratic Change and BOFEPUSU,” he said.
The federation’s deputy secretary general, Ketlhalefile Motshegwa took to social media saying it was “disturbing” for the State media to “sabotage such an important event” while Btv and other platforms were taxpayer funded.
“Government broadcasting officials in Serowe confirmed today that they were instructed not to cover the BOFEPUSU May Day celebrations. This is disturbing because Btv is operated through taxpayers’ money and public servants with membership to BOFEPUSU pay tax too.
“It is unethical for Btv to fail to give Batswana news involving or covering all sections of the society. Indeed the revolution will not be televised, but it is reaching the minds of the people and workers. The winds of change are blowing and change is inevitable,” he posted.
However, Government spokesperson, Jeff Ramsay dismissed as speculation that the state media had been instructed to blackout the BOFEPUSU event.
“I am not aware of such an order. You can ask whoever might have information on the issue. I wasn’t even in the country. I just arrived on Monday. So you can ask the people who might know.
“If there was any order, it didn’t come from our office. What I know is that there were many celebrations on Labour Day around.”