Labour unions turn up the heat on UDC gov’t

The government and 5+1 CTU concluded their negotiations on Monday, marking an end to an unprecedented six months journey marred by litigation along the way. The negotiations between the parties began in May 20 this year, and ended on October 21, a record period of negotiations in Botswana according to the unions’ leaders.

When briefing the members of the media on Tuesday, the unions’ leaders accused government of lack of political willingness to negotiate in good faith. They said the employer party displayed a careless attitude and disrespect towards the union party throughout the negotiations. The union leaders warned that if the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) does not change its attitude towards the unions, it could meet the same fate that befell its predecessor, the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP).