Over 4,000 Threaten To Boycott Elections In Phikwe

The BCL Mine is the largest single employer in Phikwe, employing 4,100 workers. But the workers are holding out for a 12 percent salary adjustment while the mine has offered six percent, and they have decided to escalate their demands by boycotting the elections.

Botswana Mine Workers Union official Joseph Tsimako confirmed this and explained that since they petitioned BCL board chairman Dr Akolang Tombale in May they are yet to receive feedback. He said the fact that government now wholly owns BCL means that Tombale reports to the Minister of Minerals Energy and Water Resources and said this now means that government is silent on their concerns.