Diamond industry workers allege labour violations, sexual harrassment

EPHRAIM KEORENG
Staff Writer | Friday February 4, 2011 00:00

Speaking to Mmegi yesterday Jacob Mpasopi said over 200 members of  Botswana Diamond Sorters and Valuators Union (BDSVU) will today petition Minister of Minerals, Energy and Water Resources, Ponatshego Kedikilwe on the labour challenges faced by workers in the diamond polishing and cutting industry.

He said in some sightholders (companies), some managers who are mainly foreigners are in the habit of fondling young female workers 'giving them money on the side and sometimes even promising to increase their salaries if they acceded to their demands,' he said.

The General Secretary also said some companies in the diamond industry subject workers to inhuman treatment where the former are told to spend a stipulated amount of time in the toilet.

'When they go to the hospital, they are forced to submit their medical cards to prove that indeed they went for medical attention. This is not good as workers have no privacy. There is also the issue of job security, where workers can just be dismissed unprocedurally. When the case goes before the labour department, they (employer) will admit that they are wrong and go on to pay the notice fine, which amounts to nothing,' he said.

 He also said that they will petition Kedikilwe on the security of diamonds, low wages, training and localization among others. Mpasopi said for the past years BDSVU has been organising workers with a view to building solidarity amongst them, 'an effort which is now a success though not yet complete. The union believes time is now ripe for labour injustices prevailing in the diamond polishing industry to be addressed with utmost seriousness and hence this petition,' he said. He said they will start off with a march from Bontleng Mall, proceeding through Willbough Road and culminate with a gathering at the Fairgrounds Mall.

It has not been clear who will receive the petition, as minister Kedikilwe is now acting vice-president. Mmegi spoke to government spokesperson Dr Jeff Ramsay who said he thinks Kedikilwe is still responsible for the Minerals, Energy and Water Resources Ministry.

'You will remember that Festus Mogae as VP was also a Minister of Finance and Development Planning. President Ian Khama, as VP also doubled as Minister of Presidential Affairs and Public Administration,' he said. Efforts to reach Kedikilwe were futile as his mobile phone was off.