Around 1,400 Gaborone City Council employees who were converted from industrial class to permanent and pensionable positions yesterday, abandoned their duties and assembled in front of the Civic Centre hall in an effort to hear an explanation from council authorities on their pending payment of benefits.The employees downed tools for a day after promises were made by the council to pay them their benefits which include; leave concessions, gratitude and leave days by Monday or Tuesday this week.
They waited in front of the hall from 7.30am until 11.00am when senior officials from the City Council and representatives of the unions addressed them inside the hall. Before the meeting started, the Mayor of Gaborone, Haskins Nkayigwa pleaded with both parties to cooperate in the meeting so that a way forward could be determined."As we are gathered in this meeting, my main concern is for the public who are going to be most affected by the fact that services you provide won't be available today," said Nkayigwa.
