MPSWU petitions ministry over salaries

PATRICIA MAGANU
Staff Writer | Wednesday May 12, 2010 00:00

 MPSWU is a new splinter union emanating from the Botswana Meat Industry Workers Union (BMIWU). It was issued a certificate of registration on May 3 this year.

MPSWU secretary general, Joshua Gabriel says there is an outstanding trade dispute between union members and BMC concerning what the meat commission has been owing its employees since 1997 and that BMC is not treated like other parastatals as far as the salary paying system is concerned.

Though they were able to meet the minister, Gabriel said that they were disappointed by the fact that the minister was not up to date with these issues.

'We had to table our issue as if it was new even though we had been seeking to meet the minister of agriculture for a long time,' he said.

Gabriel has also blamed the ministry secretariat for not informing the minister of these issues even though they were aware of them.

He further lamented the absence of BMC management at this meeting, who were all said to be out of the country.

He also highlighted the MPSWU recruitment drive which has taken them to Lobatse BMC to register members for the new union.

'We managed to set up four agents to register new members who have been eagerly awaiting the arrival of this union and representation,' said Gabriel.