The day BFTU, BOFEPUSU fought together

The Botswana Federation of Trade Unions (BFTU)and Botswana Federation of Public Sector Unions (BOFEPUSU) never agree on anything as far as labour politics are concerned. But the two federations defied the odds and shocked many when they released a joint statement last year in winter. This was after a Government Extra Ordinary Gazette was published on June 22, 2015 notifying of the Trade Disputes Bill 2015 (Supplement B).

The two federations pronounced: “This Joint Statement by the Botswana Federation of Trade Unions (BFTU) and Botswana Federation of Public Sector Unions (BOFEPUSU) is our joint resolve as representatives of workers in Botswana regarding the Trade Disputes Bill 2015. In a nutshell we declare that we are opposed to the un-procedural enactment of the Trade Dispute Bill, 2015 and substantively opposed to some sections of the Bill, mainly Sections 46 and 47 on essential services.”