This is what the news that the Botswana Federation of Public Service Unions (BOFEPUSU) intends to get jobs abroad for nurses sacked for joining the recent civil service strike suggests. It is possibly the first time a trade union in the country is taking care of the interests of workers in this fashion after a strike. In many countries, it has been easy for trade unions to call strikes and succeed in getting workers to down tools. It is well and good if the employer succumbs and comes to an agreement with the workers and their representatives as a result of the strike. However, it is a different ball game when the employer surmounts the strike like it happened in Botswana recently. Inevitably sackings, victimisation and worse things follow whenever an employer successfully rides out the effects of a strike. It can be a very rude awakening for workers and unions. The victimised workers are likely to blame the unions for their fate. The unions will have very few answers for those who have suffered because of the strike. But this need not happen if the unions have the ability to take care of workers in a post-strike situation either by providing an income for the dismissed or getting them jobs. We still remember the mass sackings a few years ago when mine workers went on strike. By then, some people blamed unions for calling the strike that led to the sackings. This is why the intention of BOFEPUSU to look for jobs abroad for sacked nurses is wise and welcome. It will neutralise the intimidatory instincts of employers whenever workers go on strike or threaten to down tools. It will embolden the workers to fight more vigorously for their rights. Employers are likely to listen more to unions when they know that they do not hold all the carrots. The fact that unions can take care of bread and butter issues of members even after they lose their jobs is definitely a good development in our shores. We wish that in future other unions can emulate the example set by BOFEPUSU. This will be particularly pertinent if BOFEPUSU overcomes the problems associated with looking for jobs abroad for nurses. It might be easy to announce intentions and put plans in place; but achieving the set goals can be very difficult. The government is likely to complicate BOFEPUSU's efforts to get jobs for sacked nurses abroad out of malice. This year, the government has won crucial victories against unions and we will not be surprised if the state torpedoes plans to get sacked civil servants jobs outside the country.
We wish BOFEPUSU success in its efforts to serve the interest of its members.
