Gov�t, BOFEPUSU fight reaches ILO
Goitsemodimo Kaelo | Thursday June 8, 2017 16:33
This comes after Botswana was listed amongst 23 countries that violated labour laws following the Federation’s report to the Committee of Experts on Application of Conventions and Recommendations (CEACR) in September 2016.
Botswana’s image as a shining example of democracy was dealt a blow after it was placed alongside 23 other states branded ‘labour criminals’ by the Committee of Experts on Application of Conventions and Recommendations during the ongoing session of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) on Tuesday in Geneva, Switzerland. Other African countries listed are Zambia, Egypt, Algeria, Sudan and Libya.
BOFEPUSU deputy secretary general, Ketlhalefile Motshegwa said the listing was due to the government’s poor compliance to ILO labour standards.
Botswana, a full member of the governing body of the ILO, has been listed for violation of Convention 87 of the ILO. The Convention, which Botswana has ratified, talks about the fundamental rights of workers, the freedom to associate and the right to organise, including the right to organise their administration and activities.
Unionists believe the violation occurred after Parliament enacted the new Trade Dispute Act (TDA) that essentially takes away the striking right of workers. It (Parliament) classifies a large portion of public workers, amongst them diamond sorters and cutters, teachers, immigration and customs services officers, as essential workers.
Motshegwa said Botswana had violated Convention 98 on the Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining and Convention 151 on Labour Relations (Public Service). “The Botswana Democratic Party-led government has gone on to further trample on the articles 20 and 23 of the UN Declaration of Human Rights, which deal with the right of peaceful assembly and association and the right to desirable work and to join trade unions,” he said.
“Botswana faces isolation and sanctions from the international community. Now that the rating agencies know about its disregard for labour laws, they will rate it badly in terms of governance, democracy and respect for the rule of law” he added.
Meanwhile, Botswana National Front publicity secretary, Justin Hunyepa said the downlisting would scare potential investors and tourists, hence affecting job creation opportunities and socio-economic development.
“This does not paint Botswana’s image well before the international community,” Hunyepa, who is also the Umbrella for Democratic Change labour secretary, said.
“It is embarrassing to note that Botswana violates these international laws while it has ratified all the violated conventions, including the core fundamental ILO standards.
“Domestically, the BDP-led government has violated and or intends to amend the Public Service Act, Botswana Examinations Council Act and Trade Disputes Act, which all flow from the ratified ILO conventions.”