Online Version

Facebook Feed

  • Dr Sikhulile Moyo named to TIME’s annual TIME100 list of the 100 most influential people in the worldMay 23, 2022
    TIME  has  named  Dr  Sikhulile  Moyo  to  the  2022 TIME100, its annual list of the 100 most influential people in the world. Dr. Moyo is the Research Laboratory Director at the Botswana Harvard AIDS Institute Partnership (BHP), a health […]
  • VACANCIES: BR PropertiesMay 17, 2022
    INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITY Finance and Administration Closing date: 18th May 2022.
  • BANANA CLUB HOSTS FIRST MAUN EDITIONMay 17, 2022
    The artist-led collective, Banana Emoji Productions in collaboration with the European Union Delegation in Botswana hosted the beloved BANANA CLUB dialogues in Maun on the 14th of May 2022.  The multi-disciplinary creative group is committed to working with artists […]
  • Orange Botswana CEO among Africa’s most inspirational women in leadershipMay 12, 2022
    – Declares House of Rose House of Rose Professional Pte. Ltd (HORP) has announced its 2022 List of Africa’s Most Inspirational Women in Leadership. The list included over 100 inspirational leaders and was curated by House of Rose Professional […]
  • Unions ‘consider’ a Workers PartyMay 12, 2022
    Masisi snubbed trade unions on Workers Day, chose Khawa BOFEPUSU warn Masisi that Khawa could cost him elections Opposition will be top beneficiary of a Workers Party -Analyst BAKANG TIRO editors@thepatriot.co.bw Aggrieved trade union federation, Botswana Federation of Public, […]
  • About Us
  • Advertise
  • Disclaimer
  • Contact Us
  • Login
  • Register
Wednesday, May 25, 2022
17 °c
Gaborone
21 ° Tue
22 ° Wed
24 ° Thu
26 ° Fri
The Patriot On Sunday
Advertisement
  • Home
  • News
  • Business
  • Lifestyle
  • Sport
  • Analysis & Opinions
  • Vacancies & Tenders
No Result
View All Result
Cart / $0.00

No products in the cart.

  • Home
  • News
  • Business
  • Lifestyle
  • Sport
  • Analysis & Opinions
  • Vacancies & Tenders
No Result
View All Result
The Patriot On Sunday
No Result
View All Result
Home News

Unions ‘consider’ a Workers Party

patriot by patriot
May 11, 2022
in News
0
Unions ‘consider’ a Workers Party

Tshukudu

491
SHARES
1.4k
VIEWS
ShareShareShare
  • Masisi snubbed trade unions on Workers Day, chose Khawa
  • BOFEPUSU warn Masisi that Khawa could cost him elections
  • Opposition will be top beneficiary of a Workers Party -Analyst

BAKANG TIRO

editors@thepatriot.co.bw

Aggrieved trade union federation, Botswana Federation of Public, Private and Parastatal Sector Unions (BOFEPUSU) says workers are unhappy over how President Mokgweetsi Masisi snubbed their invitation to grace the Labour Day and such deeds will push unions to form a workers party in future.

In an interview, the federation president Johannes Tshukudu said they are disappointed by the decision taken by Masisi to attend the Khawa Dune Challenge while snubbing the workers. He said although unions are not in position form a workers alliance movement at the moment, possibilities in future are that unions will consider that if political parties  continue fail workers.

According to Tshukudu, trade unions could not rush to form workers movement or a political party they are still looking over how both ruling and opposition parties deal with workers matters.

He said BOFEPUSU adopted the Workers Charter under which they are currently assessing all political parties to  see if their 20244  general elections manifestos will be pro workers or not. “We have seen how the president has continued to disregard the labour movement when he decided to prioritize Khawa and didn’t attend our invitation to him to talk to the workers on Labour Day. He sent his message via internet. We will meet him and Khawa might cost him,” Tshukudu fired shots.

The outspoken Tshukudu went on to express displeasure over unfulfilled promised that Masisi has made to the labour movement such as revival of Public Service Bargaining Council but to no avail.

“There is very little commitment coming from government with regards to the bargaining structures. Also, we are struggling from the private sector perspective as we have asked that we form the private sector industrial councils but the employers are not coming on board. They snub us,” he added.

He also lamented the poor conditions of service extended to the workers by private employers.

Tshukudu said workers continue to report mistreatment by employees particularly by foreign owned businesses, adding that Commissioner of Labour is toothless hence need more powers.

Meanwhile, Masisi in his Labour Day message to the unions reiterated his government commitment to revive the public service bargaining council rekindling the promise he made to unions in 2018.

He applauded BOFEPUSU and Botswana Federation of Trade Unions (BFTU) for working together in advancing the interest of the workers, noting that their cooperation show maturity and commitment.

In addition, Masisi further urged the two trade union federations to assist the government by actively participating in the government RESET Agenda to participate in economic development of the country.

 SA COSATU Model

Political analyst Kitso Morekisi said if local trade unions are to form a workers alliance in future should align to political parties adopt the model similar to that of Congress of Southern Africa Trade Unions (COSATU) and the ruling African National Congress (ANC) in neighboring South Africa.

He said the local labour movement has the potential to form a robust workers political movement.

“BOFEPUSU is big labour movement and together with the teacher trade unions have all the prowess to have workers alliance. But it will be important for unions to align to political party. In the context of Botswana, opposition parties are likely to benefit from unions formed party as there seems to be lack of trust between BDP led government and unions. Workers are powerful,” he said.

He also said the unions couldn’t necessarily form a workers movement but submit proposals to the political parties that will be able to guide which political party to support like happened before.

“In 2014, we have seen how the trade unions through their influence nearly removed BDP from power under former president Ian Khama when BOFEPUSU shown support to the UDC. In 2019, although BOFEPUSU didn’t publicly declare support to any political party, technical they backed up Masisi following the Ntlole salary adjustments made to some public service workers,” he said.

Chopping Labour Ministers

Meanwhile, BOFEPUSU president Tshukudu said the changing and chopping of labour ministers by Masisi in cabinet reshuffles cause inconsistency towards addressing issues affecting workers.

He said it become difficult for BOFEPUSU to engage with new ministers as some disregard unions.

“We believe that if labour ministers continue to be changed time in and again will result in a lot inconsistency when it comes to deal with burning issues that affect workers. We encourage that ministers of labour should not be chopped and changed. This is a critical ministry to us,” he noted.

Another development that he says dampen the spirit of progress in advancing workers welfare is the changing of directors and managers in government departments who are hired via contracts.

Related

Get real time update about this post categories directly on your device, subscribe now.

Unsubscribe
  • Dr Sikhulile Moyo named to TIME’s annual TIME100 list of the 100 most influential people in the worldMay 23, 2022
    TIME  has  named  Dr  Sikhulile  Moyo  to  the  2022 TIME100, its annual list of the 100 most influential people in the world. Dr. Moyo is the Research Laboratory Director at the Botswana Harvard AIDS Institute Partnership (BHP), a health […]
  • VACANCIES: BR PropertiesMay 17, 2022
    INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITY Finance and Administration Closing date: 18th May 2022.
  • BANANA CLUB HOSTS FIRST MAUN EDITIONMay 17, 2022
    The artist-led collective, Banana Emoji Productions in collaboration with the European Union Delegation in Botswana hosted the beloved BANANA CLUB dialogues in Maun on the 14th of May 2022.  The multi-disciplinary creative group is committed to working with artists […]
  • Orange Botswana CEO among Africa’s most inspirational women in leadershipMay 12, 2022
    – Declares House of Rose House of Rose Professional Pte. Ltd (HORP) has announced its 2022 List of Africa’s Most Inspirational Women in Leadership. The list included over 100 inspirational leaders and was curated by House of Rose Professional […]
  • Unions ‘consider’ a Workers PartyMay 12, 2022
    Masisi snubbed trade unions on Workers Day, chose Khawa BOFEPUSU warn Masisi that Khawa could cost him elections Opposition will be top beneficiary of a Workers Party -Analyst BAKANG TIRO editors@thepatriot.co.bw Aggrieved trade union federation, Botswana Federation of Public, […]
The Patriot On Sunday

© 2022 Copyright The Patriot On Sunday - Inspired by Search Mart.

Navigate Site

  • About Us
  • Advertise
  • Disclaimer
  • Contact Us

Follow Us

No Result
View All Result
  • Login
  • Sign Up
  • Cart
  • Home
  • News
  • Business
  • Lifestyle
  • Sport
  • Analysis & Opinions
  • Vacancies & Tenders

© 2022 Copyright The Patriot On Sunday - Inspired by Search Mart.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password? Sign Up

Create New Account!

Fill the forms below to register

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
Are you sure want to unlock this post?
Unlock left : 0
Are you sure want to cancel subscription?