Rari Speaks As Education International At ILO Conference
Monday, June 19, 2017
“The Trade Disputes Act makes teachers and support staff within the teaching service, and almost the whole economy, an essential service, hence prohibiting them from resorting to a strike action,” said Tobakani Rari, General Secretary of the Botswana Sectors of Education Trade Unions (BOSETU), of the government’s harmful policy. “This undermines the bargaining power of teachers and support staff who are therefore at risk that their working conditions will deteriorate - which will also affect their morale.”
On June 14, Rari delivered a powerful message on behalf of Education International (EI) at the ILO Conference Committee on Application of Standards during the examination of the case against Botswana for violations of Convention 87. The BOSETU is an affiliate of EI.
As reported elsewhere in this publication, the country’s school uniform industry is being shaken by widespread smuggling, fronting and deceit.This is not just a business issue, but a direct attack on a national policy designed to build Botswana’s own economy and protect Batswana jobs.We call on the Ministry of Education, the Botswana Unified Revenue Service (BURS), the Police and all relevant bodies to take immediate and decisive action to...