Nursing Association To Unionise - At Last

MARANYANE NGWANAAMOTHO
Staff Writer | Monday March 8, 2010 00:00

In a press release, NAB stated that the opportunity for public service employees to unionise arose in 2002 when major amendments were made to the Botswana Employment Act and the Trade Unions and Employment Act of 2006. 

NAB has not been able to bargain with the government as a major employer and other employers on labour issues, including nurses' welfare.

'To meet both the socio-economic welfare needs and the professional needs of nurses, NAB has decided to form a dual mandate orgarnisation, inclusive of both professional and union activities,' NAB says. 

The statement revealed that a reference committee had already been set up to kick-start the unionisation processes.  

NAB Executive Secretary Geetha Feringa told The Monitor that NAB members had to be capacitated in terms of the implications and consequences of unionisation of a professional organisation like NAB.  'This was a lengthy process, but once the advantages of unionisation were appreciated, consensus was reached among NAB members,' she revealed. 

- According to various media reports, nurses have long complained of uncomfortable long working hours, shortage of staff, poor remuneration, lack of clear career paths, high migration rates and lack of appreciation of the professionals by employers and consumers.   The hope is that after unionising these issues will be addressed. 

NAB could only plead and reason with employers without much success.  However, NAB has been involved in negotiations to address the needs and issues of nurses in Botswana, advancing the profession, and representing them at local, regional and international levels.