Civil Service salary talks begin

• Talks to conclude within a week, held in Mahalapye
• Public Service Bargaining Council constitution signed

BAKANG TIRO

editors@thepatriot.co.bw

Government -represented by the Directorate of Public Service Management (DPSM) and public sector trade unions will on Tuesday commence salary negotiations for the financial year 2025/26 after the parties signed the Public Service Bargaining Council (PSBC) constitution.

A joint statement from DPSM and the Six Plus One Cooperating Trade Unions indicates that the parties met on 09^th May 2025 to deliberate and agree on the preparations for the negotiations for the financial year 2025/26. According to the statement, the employer and unions have agreed to commence salary negotiations and other conditions of service on the 20^th May and conclude by 26^th May 2025.

The negotiations will be conducted in Mahalapye, and the parties have indicated that they have already signed Rules of Engagement for the negotiations.

Bargaining Council  

Meanwhile, the employer and unions made a bold step in resuscitation of the PSBC by signing the constitution on Tuesday, a development that has excited trade unions. The signing of the PSBC constitution follows the presentation of the Public Service (Amendment Bill) No 34 that was presented to Parliament by Minister of State President, Moeti Mohwasa and passed on the 19^th December 2024.

The PSBC is expected to soon be registered with the Commissioner of Labour to pave way for negotiations for salary adjustment for civil servants.

In an interview on Friday, DPSM Director, Gaone Macholo said they are excited for reaching an important progressive milestone with the unions party with regards to reviving of the bargaining council. She said such a historic feat demonstrates the unity that the unions and DPSM have nurtured based on mutual respect and common understanding.

“We are heading in the right direction and with time we will collectively achieve a lot,” said Macholo elatedly.

Coordinator of the 6CtU, Agang Gabana said he was driving and could not field questions. He had not shared his views on the matter at the time of going to print.

For many years, trade unions and thgovernment have been engaged in a tussle over the collapse of the PSBC, with trade unions accusing government of not showing any political will to revive the bargaining forum. Trade unions complained that the absence of PSBC was making it hard for them to engage with the employer on issues affecting workers, therefore it was important for the bargaining structure to be revived.

The bargaining council collapsed during the BDP administration of former President Ian Khama. His successor Mokgweetsi Masisi repeatedly promised that his government will  bring back the PSBC but failed to deliver.