Govt, unions must reach compromise agreement

Although initially the strike was earmarked to last 10 days, it has developed into an indefinite walkout. In the meantime so much has happened with far-reaching economic ramifications. The government has been forced to close schools, citing the safety of students.  Sources reveal that some health facilities have been closed due to lack of sufficient manpower.   The government has also retaliated by firing all the essential service workers who have joined on strike.

Throughout the strike, the government has been applying all types of intimidating tactics against the striking workers.  In a bid to find a solution to the impasse, union leaders from the Botswana Federation of Public Service Unions (BOFEPUSU) and the employers, the Directorate of Public Service Management (DPSM), have held a number of negotiations.  But these negotiations broke down because they could not come to a mutual agreement.