Reacting to the SONA, various unions shared similar concerns on the need for improved relations between government and unions. They expressed worry over the collapse of the Public Service Bargaining Council (PSBC) and hoped the new administration will work harmoniously with unions while at the same time improving the working conditions of the workforce. BOFEPUSU According to the Botswana Federation of Public Private and Parastatals Sector Unions (BOFEPUSU) publicity secretary, Oreeditse Nyatso, the SONA covered their expectations on the issue of the economy. Nyatso said everyone is concerned about the economy and its sustainability so they are glad that the President touched on the issue and admitted to challenges besieging it. He said, Boko, committed to offer both immediate and long-term solutions to reform the economy.
He stated that they were equally happy because of a commitment to carry out a financial and forensic audit. “This is coupled with the commitment to strengthen the oversight institutions because as workers our main worry has always been the independence of oversight institutions and whether they are capacitated enough to take on the Executive, Legislature and whether the Judiciary is independent enough to rule fairly and to protect human rights and justice,’’ said Nyatso. He added that they didn’t expect the President to speak on the PSBC as they believe it is an issue they will table with the Minister of Labour and Home Affairs. He stated that the federation will take the minister into confidence regarding the problems pertaining to the PSBC and proposed solutions. However, he said the President touched on the civil service reform and training civil servants on accountability and performance. BOFEPUSU said these are the issues that will be bargained for at the PSBC. Slamming the past regime, Nyatso said it was a nightmare to deal with administrators who felt that everything is fine when everyone could see that there are challenges. BONU Secretary-general of the Botswana Nurses Union (BONU), Lebogang Phillip, expressed hope that government will work well with nurses and midwives in the envisaged transformation and inclusiveness as the system has always prejudiced them on several issues. Phillip argued that in the past four years nurses were affected by unemployment because the government introduced temporary nurses which they have always condemned.
He said this arrangement brought a lack of job security, and a higher turnout of nurses who sought greener pastures. “BONU will judge the government by observing its first 100 days which the President cited that they are anchored around three pillars being restoring trust, revitalising the economy and building capacity,” he said. Additionally, BONU categorically called for all acting positions to be filled and the same trend rolled out to the District Health Management Teams (DHMTs), and nurses and midwives to be appointed as permanent and pensionable officers. Moreover, BONU said Director of Institute of Health Sciences Department must be moved to the Ministry of Higher Education. To this end, BONU called for inclusion of unions in the roll-out of the multiple initiatives like the envisaged National Health Scheme, universal health coverage plan for all citizens etc. Further, the union called on the President to be clear about the resuscitation of the PSBC. For his part, the Botswana Sector of Educators Trade Union (BOSETU) secretary-general, Tobokani Rari said their expectations as the teachers union was for Boko to update on the current status of the economy. Rari said they expected tangible promises made by the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) manifesto on minimum wage, old age pension, and student allowances would be achievable either in short, medium or long term to be accounted for. “We were as well expecting the President to speak on the issue of employment creation,” he said.
BOSETU According to Rari, on the labour relations front, they expected the President to speak on the need to cultivate a conducive working environment both in the public and private sectors by facilitation of legislative bargaining institutions. Furthermore, he said, relating to the education sector, they had hoped the President would note the deteriorating state of public education system. He said the SONA ought to have spoken to the drastic face-lifting of school facilities and prioritisation of remuneration packages to make teaching more attractive. BMWU On the other hand, the Botswana Mine Workers Union (BMWU) secretary-general, Mbiganyi Gaekgotswe highlighted the SONA did not dwell much on mining sector workers issues. He said the President only talked about diversification away from diamonds. “But we expected him to touch on more issues more so that our industry is the backbone of the economy,” he queried. Gaekgotswe said the mining industry faces insurmountable challenges like laws that do not favour workers. He complained about retrenchments in the sector, adding that there is nothing that protects workers legally when it comes to issues of liquidations. Consequently, he said most companies owe workers and sometimes liquidate and leave without paying them benefits.
The BMWU urged the new government to devise laws that will protect miners on occupational health and safety issues. Corroborating the unions, the Institute for Labour and Employment Studies (ILES) CEO, Shandukani Hlabano said the speech did not get into detail on labour issues. He said that was preferable given the state of bargaining structures. To this end, he advised that the new government should establish labour market institutions such as bargaining councils where workers can engage employers in collective bargaining.
