In the letter dated August 3, 2010 from the labour department to the DPSM, TAWU is alleging favouritism of one union receiving financial assistance and want the same favour to be extended to all unions.
Speaking to Mmegi, TAWU President Allan Keitseng said the Botswana Public Service Union (BOPEU) has been receiving assistance in the form of rentals and payment of officers. "We approached them at one point and they admitted to assisting BOPEU long before it unionised when it was known as the Botswana Civil Service Association (BCSA). All unions must be treated equally," Keitseng said adding that it was unfair for the unions that were not being assisted financially to compete at the same level as those receiving the assistance. "Convention 151 states that the employer may assist unions but when they assist one out of seven it becomes discriminatory. We have requested the same and they said they do not have money and Botswana Teachers Union has received that but it was stopped at one point because the employer said there were many unions. Why should BOPEU be the only being assisted?" Keitseng asked. However, BOPEU president, Andrew Motsamai explained that they negotiated for assistance for accommodation and transport as part of their convention, which allows for assistance by the employer.
