BOFEPUSU presses forward with quest for industry recognition

CHANDAPIWA BAPUTAKI
Staff Writer | Wednesday January 26, 2011 00:00

 

Speaking to Mmegi yesterday, BOFEPUSU secretary general, Andrew Motsamai said that they have instructed their lawyers to look into the matter with a view to apply for a review. He stated that the Commissioner of Labour cannot pass the buck to someone else in the matter of recognition. 'The law as it stands right now states that we apply to her (Commissioner of Labour) to make the decision if we want to be given industry recognition. If she wanted to decline, she could have stated reasons why we do not qualify or if we do not meet the threshold and not to pass the buck to the Bargaining Council,' Motsamai said.

'If they refuse to review the matter, we will challenge the decision at the Industrial Court,' he added. In a letter dated January 18, 2011 addressed to Motsamai, Commissioner of Labour Rose Sennanyana said that all matters pertaining to collective bargaining in the public service would be addressed through the PSBC, which is currently being set up. She was referring to a letter by BOFEPUSU on June 1, 2010 and the related correspondences as well as a meeting held on December 3, 2010 regarding the application for industry recognition.

She indicated that the submissions made by BOFEPUSU as well as the Directorate of Public Service Management (DPSM) and justification for recognition at industry level revolved around collective bargaining in the public sector.

'I wish to indicate that Part XIII of the Public Service Act, 2008 provides for collective bargaining in the public service through the PSBC. Consequently, I decline your application for recognition at industry level,' she said in the letter that was copied to the Director of DPSM and General Secretary of Trained and Allied Workers Union (TAWU).