Khama's statement is contrary to the government position in the stalled talks with unions where Department of Public Service Management (DPSM) has tabled two offers of pay hikes. The President said during his tour of Tonota North constituency villages on Thursday that the public sector is seeking increments at a financially difficult time for the government. He wondered why the Botswana Federation of Public Sector Unions (BOFEPUSU) is attacking the government.
"This surprises me because the government has made it clear that there is no money," he said. He faulted civil servants for seeking higher pay yet they work in government and know the financial position of the state. He said
"Botswana is currently experiencing a budget deficit of over P7 billion and the government is struggling to get the P12 billion needed annually to pay civil servants. He said the strike is going to cripple the economy of Botswana and will not be easy to recover from the effects. He stated that the economy is still recovering from recession and the strike will make matters worse. "Major development projects were halted due to lack of funds. Unemployed people depend on the government poverty eradication schemes like the Ipelegeng, youth grants and the old age pension. If we give workers 16 percent increment, should we stop supporting the poor and the old?" Khama asked. He said the government should be recommended for making sure that civil servants were not retrenched during the economic meltdown. He said the public servants are ungrateful and now want to engage in strikes as a 'thank you' to the government.
