Govt moves to include teachers and veterinary under essential services

RYDER GABATHUSE
Staff Writer | Friday June 17, 2011 00:00

 

Mmegi is privy to the contents of a letter initiated by the Botswana Federation of Trade Unions (BFTU) on Tuesday and addressed to the public sector unions under the ambit of Botswana Federation of Public Sector Unions (BOFEPUSU).

'We have received communication to the effect that government wants to amend the Trade Dispute Act Schedule on Essential Services. The new amendments seek to add Veterinary Services and Teaching Services,' reads the BFTU letter to the trade unions in part. A letter authored by BFTU secretary general Gadzani Mhotsha further reads: 'This proposal by the Minister has been put before the Labour Advisory Board (LAB) scheduled to meet yesterday (Thursday).

'To assist the BFTU representatives in the LAB, we have convened a meeting of the BFTU general council to advice the members on what position they should take.'

This meeting took place on Wednesday at the BFTU boardroom. Mhotsha further writes: 'As the contemplated amendments will affect your members if adopted, we invite your union to send two senior officials to this meeting to assist in coming up with a union position on this matter.'

Contacted for comment yesterday, Mhotsha could not deny or confirm the reports. 'Our position is that when there is an issue that is still under discussion with other parties, it will not be openly discussed unless we issue a joint statement denoting progress at the end of such talks,' said Mhotsha. He felt strongly that when talks are still in progress, making an open statement could jeopardise the position of workers. Meanwhile, BOFEPUSU secretary general, Andrew Motsamai confirmed that as a federation they have heard about the government proposal. He indicated that they do not have anything in writing from the government and that they are still members of the LAB.

'We would be happy if the government could write to us on an amendment that is going to adversely affect our members,' said Motsamai who appealed that the government should not do anything that would expose Botswana as a country.

'They should not do anything that could expose Botswana to the outside world as that will be dealt with the contempt that it deserves by the workers.' Motsamai said he recalled a similar case in Canada, the only country in the world, which after a strike moved to classify the teaching services as essential services. 'Should Botswana adopt such a desperate measure, this has the potential of tainting the labour movement world over. As BOFEPUSU we will be disappointed by our political leaders if they could adopt such a desperate move,' observed Motsamai.

Under normal circumstances, Motsamai said that Botswana government would not think of doing such a thing.

'It will be disappointing to say the least. The labour department should be aware that it has registered another federation. The registrar of trade unions seems to be having an attitude towards BOFEPUSU and since we are currently involved in other projects to establish ourselves we will deal with some of the issues at a later stage.'

He was adamant that BOFEPUSU was not going to force the labour department to comply with the labour law and recognise BOFEPUSU as a federation of public sector unions. 'We can't force them to comply with the law that they know better. It's also unfortunate that government can choose to exclude us from an issue that directly affects us,' noted Motsamai.

Minister of Labour and Home Affairs, Peter Siele was yesterday reluctant to take questions from the media insisting, 'I have just arrived as I have been outside the country in Europe for sometime. I am just at the airport as we speak,' he said in a telephone interview.

He referred all inquiries to the Acting Minister in his office who is also the Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Shaw Kgathi. When contacted yesterday, Kgathi was reluctant to comment indicating, 'as soon as Siele landed in the country, then my acting appointment ceases. I therefore, will not comment on issues at his ministry anymore.'

Pressed further, Minister Siele told Mmegi: ' Where did you get the information about this thing. I am not in a position even as a minister to discuss this matter with you because it's still under consideration. I will not divulge any information because parties to the matter are still discussing this matter of amendment of the Trade Dispute Act schedule on essential services.'

Siele further pointed out that he would only be able to divulge details to the media once the debate around the issue is complete. As trade unionism is a game of numbers, the government's latest manouvre if successful, could see reduced workers power during times of industrial action.