New BMWU president lambasts Cut 8 project

FREDERICK KEBADIRETSE
Staff Writer | Thursday August 4, 2011 00:00

 

The union boss said the project has made diamond giant, Debswana to surrender its core mining operations to another company, Majwe Joint Venture/Basil Read, which now operates a mine within a mine.

He said Debswana has not considered future employment opportunities for existing workers beyond the next five years when present ore deposits are depleted. He said there is no plan for the transfer of skills at the Cut 8 project and expatriate workers have been hired to do jobs that can be done by locals. When it was launched last year, Cut 8 was meant to create over 1,000 jobs, with more posts for citizens. It was supposed to give citizens world class skills but Tlhagale has said these targets have not been met. He said Debswana did not consider enlarging its operations to create decent jobs for more Batswana. Instead the company preferred to outsource to ensure efficiency and return on investment to shareholders.

He said outsourcing means that workers on the Cut 8 project have more to lose in terms of reduced benefits compared to those on the Debswana payroll. 'The rush for diamonds is not concerned about long term employment for citizens nor rising joblessness,' he said. He added that the company wants to mine as much diamonds as quickly as possible. This means in seven years, the company wants to mine deposits that it could have mined in 30 years.

Tlhagale said the trend is not only unique to Debswana because other mining companies in Botswana have adopted the same strategy. He slammed the measures taken by mining companies like the introduction of a Scannex X-ray search meant to destroy the health of the workers as scientific research has revealed that cancer is caused by X-ray radiation. He said the union will continue to oppose the security measures at all costs. Meanwhile, after weekend polls, Tlhagale replaced Rex Tambula as president of BMWU while Joseph Tsimako was elected deputy president. Bob Malele has succeeded Tlhagale as secretary general. Sebataladi Ramoitoi is still deputy secretary general but Peter Marewa has replaced Joyce Letshelea as treasurer. Additional committee members are Moses Joubert, Kefilwe Mathodi, Amogelang Modibedi, Happy Bashe and David Lesejane.