Trade unions blamed in staff transfer disputes

Chakalisa Dube | Tuesday December 12, 2017 17:27

 

The Directorate of Public Service Management (DPSM) director, Ruth Maphorisa expressed her worry about the trend when addressing Botswana Manual Workers Union (BMWU) elective gathering recently.

“In most cases when we want to transfer employees, especially those working in urban areas to remote areas, trade unions always come to us on their behalf and oppose the transfers. The reason usually advanced is that the affected employees are not in full health and have to be closer to better medication in urban areas,” Maphorisa said.

She noted that most of the illnesses (by those who want to oppose transfers) are not genuine, but a ploy to justify opposition of the transfers.

“It becomes much of a coincidence that most of those who are ill are from urban areas. I urge trade unions to address this matter because it is one of the factors that negatively affect provision of services within the public service.” There is a perception that most civil servants do not like working in non-urban areas because of their remoteness and inadequate resources as well as modern facilities such as shopping centres.

Maphorisa also told delegates at the congress that plans to review the overall government salary structure have reached an advanced stage. She highlighted that the current salary structure is outdated. According to Maphorisa the Ministerial Tender Committee has given DPSM the go ahead to look for a consultant who will undertake the salary review which might possibly result in some professions being scrapped from the scarce skills cadres amongst others, Maphorisa said.

“There are some professions we believe should be scrapped from the scarce skills cadre because of the recent dynamics in the labour market,” she highlighted.

Maphorisa explained that the government opted to go for a consultant in order to minimise conflicts with the trade unions.

“If we undertake the review, we may be deemed to be conflicted which can result in fighting between us and trade unions,” she said. The director promised that the government intends to closely work with all trade unions during the review.

Meanwhile, when it was his turn, BOFEPUSU deputy secretary general, Ketlhalefile Motshegwa chided the government on the proposed review of the government salary structure.

“The problem with the government is lack of proper consultation. We could have been told about the review while it was at it infancy in order to appreciate what necessitated it and for us to make an input (during the planning process).

“I do not think that it is appropriate for us to be roped in only when the process is about to start because we are important stakeholders in the review.”