Addressing the media yesterday, Batshu said given the environment in which soldiers, prison and police officers work the government cannot allow them to form unions. "It is not our intention in this country to allow these services to unionise because they are sensitive institutions," he said.He added that Botswana is in good standing with the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and that reports sent to the body implicating the country have little or no impact in its image abroad. "We have not ratified some conventions because of current gaps that exists between what is required of that convention and our legislation," he said. He explained that it is crucial for countries not to rush into ratifying conventions when the operational environment does not allow for their immediate domestication.
Recently, there have been calls from unions in Botswana to allow the security forces to form labour organisations.The Botswana Federation of Public Sector Unions (BOFEPUSU) has reported that failure to allow prisons staff to unionise has earned the country a place in the 'Route of Shame' from the Public Service International (PSI).The federation wrote after attending an ILO meeting that: "The government of Botswana has dismally failed to amend Section 2 of the Trade Dispute Act and Section 2 of the Trade Union & Employer's Organisation Act and Section 35 of Prisons Act so as to ensure that the prison staff is afforded all guarantees provided under the convention".
