The war that President (Ian) Khama has declared on trade unions and its members is the reason why we have poisoned labour relations between the two camps. This has had devastating consequences on productivity and the collapse of our health and education sector. President Khama should shed his military uniform and tactics and approach labour issues with a sober mind. His reminder to the workers that he is a soldier and shall fight them to the bitter end was most unfortunate and not worthy of the office he holds. This is the main reason for the endless feuding between government and the unions. There is need for government to return to the bargaining council and engage the workers in a constructive manner.
We note in paragraph 23 of the address by the President that there has been a consultancy on ways to improve conditions of service for the public service. If this consultancy was not sanctioned by the bargaining council, our view is that the findings or recommendations of the consultancy should be tabled before the bargaining council for adoption. Any changes to the conditions of service that are not a product of bargaining with the unions will further result in unnecessary tension.
