BNF urges government to engage bargaining council

Speaking at a press conference yesterday, BNF labour secretary, Maemo Bantsi, said they believe government is deliberately frustrating the efforts at collective bargaining or negotiation with the public sector.

"The new Public Service Act, which commenced in May 2010 through pressure by Public Sector Unions has created new developments and an environment where Public Servants can collectively bargain to improve terms and conditions of employment.  This therefore, calls for the establishment of the Bargaining Council, which should be up and running by now, so that negotiations for salary increase should commence in earnest.  The failure by the Directorate on Public Service Management to ensure that this happens has created a situation where we understand some public sector unions have taken the matter to court," he said.