On one side, the DPSM and the Attorney General assert that the doctors’ strike is a no-go, slamming it as both unlawful and in violation of the Trade Disputes Act. Their argument doesn’t stop there – they’re underlining how the strike’s ripple effect impairs public interest by causing a ruckus in crucial health services. But, countering these punches, the BDU takes a stance that the strike is spot-on and backed by reason. They’re throwing back that doctors have been negotiating with the government in good faith, yet their pleas have been met with deaf ears.
Their case, they argue, is simple: the strike is their last resort in upholding patient health and safety, deeming the current call duty system unsustainable. This court decision could shake up Botswana’s labour scene in a significant way as a ruling against the strike might spell a tough line for the unions’ future action. But, if the court gives a thumbs-up to the strike, it could be a sign for the government to start taking the union’s worries seriously.
