Labour abuse must stop

Editor | Wednesday November 14, 2007 00:00

The move followed the workers' meeting of the hospitality and tourism sector he addressed over the weekend at the tourism capital of Botswana.

Matlhabaphiri must be commended for taking time to consult with workers in the sector, which has been characterized not only by charges of unfair labour practices, but also those of divisive racism. Matlhabaphiri's predecessors, and indeed all the previous members for the Ngamiland/Okavango/Chobe areas have at some point been confronted with complaints of appalling working conditions in the sector. But all these appear to have been met with government's stunning indifference.

Even the energetic Minister of Environment, Wildlife and Tourism, Kitso Mokaila radiated a ray of hope on taking charge of the sector. The long-suffering Batswana workers in the industry thought at long last they had someone to champion their rights. Ironically though, whenever government genuinely tried to engage 'the investors' on matters pertaining to acceptable labour relations, it was accused by the latter and their lackeys, of every other evil ranging from 'racism-in-reverse' to 'scaring away investors'. 

It is critical that the hospitality and tourism sector, which is rightly regarded as the future engine of economic growth, should have a strong and visible presence at all levels of indigenous Batswana. 

And government should expect resistance from those who benefit unfairly from the present set-up. We do not believe that reports that Vice President Ian Khama sanctioned the re-employment of former manager of Riley's Hotel are helpful in this regard. The man could have at least been redeployed at the group's other hotels in the country. This is literally rubbing the poor Batswana workers' noses the wrong way. And some of them have allegedly opted to quit their jobs. When are we going to show Batswana some respect and treat them with dignity? 

The untenable situation is further compounded by the fact that most of the 'investors' in the sector, particularly in the north, are suspected to have brought along their racist tendencies in labour relations, especially from the former Rhodesia and apartheid South Africa. These uncalled for labour relations have now permeated all sectors, be they new mining ventures, retailing, and related sectors.

This cannot be allowed to continue.  

                                                         Today's Thought
As a government, we still have more work to do to with our industrial relation reforms and changes to unfair dismissal laws, which will remove the monkey on the back of small business.
                                                         - Bob Baldwin