BDP man appointed to head Bargaining Council

OARABILE MOSIKARE
Staff Writer | Thursday June 20, 2013 00:00

 

The Botswana Federation of Public Service Unions (BOFEPUSU) claims that it has agreed to the appointment of Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) activist Modiri Mbaakanyi to the Public Sector Bargaining Council (PSBC) for the sake of progress. Mbaakanyi, who is a BDP finance committee member has been appointed to chair the PBSC, the body responsible for negotiating conditions of service for public servants. BOFEPUSU said the council agreed that the chairperson should be someone knowledgeable in labour matters and who can direct the council well.

The criterion was that a suitable candidate must have a degree in law. The federation then suggested names of competent people and government came up with Mbaakanyi who does not have a law degree. Apparently the government representatives told BOFEPUSU leaders that they cannot nullify the appointment because it was done after 'instructions from above'.

BOFEPUSU deputy secretary general, Ketlhalefile Motshegwa said the unions deliberately endorsed Mbaakanyi for the sake of progress. 'The candidate did not meet the agreed requirements. The employer brought him and insisted that he be appointed chairperson,' he said. He added they realised that if they do not agree to Mbaakanyi's name, the council would collapse. Now BOFEPUSU is saying that Mbaakanyi is not an independent person and that the government forced his appointment.  BOFEPUSU feels that by appointing Mbaakanyi who is an active politician, the employer has politicised the council and yet the same government continues to blame unions for participating in politics.

The Director of Public Service Management, Carter Morupisi said Mbaakanyi was appointed a long time ago. He said if Mbaakanyi did not meet the requirements, they would not have appointed him. Pressed to state if he possess a law degree, he referred queries to the secretariat of the Bargaining Council.