Two Unions Plan New Federation

The Botswana Public Employees Union (BOPEU) and the National Amalgamated Local and Central Government Parastatal Workers Union (NALCGPWU) have told Monitor that they are forming a federation to negotiate effectively with the employer. BOPEU president, Andrew Motsamai, said they have decided to form their own federation because the Botswana Federation of Trade Union (BFTU) cannot deal with some of their problems like salary negotiations. "I am not saying we can't join them. We will do that when the time is right," said Motsamai.

He added that once they register the federation, they will invite other interested  unions to join it. He denied that government has been paying some of their expenses in a bid to cause divisions in the trade union movement. "We only get help from government through transport as other unions do. We pay for accommodation and meals," explained Motsamai.