Africa-Press – Botswana. Trade Unions are fundamental to implementation of government policies and projects and are major stakeholders in the country’s democratic dispensation structure.
Speaking during a courtesy call by the National Amalgamated Workers Union July 25, President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi said trade unions played a key role in the country’s budgetary process and therefore, pleaded with them for their sensitivity and sincerity in ensuring that government funds were prudently utilised.
“Unions are a fundamental part of democracy, a voice to many as well as a solidarity group that represents the interests of the many in ensuring that we all gravitate into a better Botswana,” he said.
With the Mindset Change campaign in full swing, he said unions should be the driving force behind the realisation of the initiative.
“We all have to adopt the mindset change initiative in our strive to transform into a high income economy, and as union leaders, I urge you to fully embrace the campaign and educate your members on the importance of mindset change and the many positive aspects related to mindset change,” he said.
Noting that the nation was bound for the general elections next year, President Masisi urged trade unions to be politically neutral.
“Botswana is a very open society and the rule dictate that everybody should have a fair chance of opportunity, hence any one among the electoral contestants can emerge a winner, I therefore urge the unions to give the election winner the legitimate respect and support in the spirit of patriotism,” he said.
In response, leader of the Amalgamated Workers Union, Ms Elsinah Botshabelo assured President Masisi of the union support in safeguarding government policies and ensuring their effective and timely implementation for the betterment of Batswana.
Ms Botshabelo said the union was committed to supporting any government initiative geared towards the attainment of any government priority area hence vowed to support the Mindset Change initiative.
“It is of importance that we support as we have done in the past contributing over P650 000 towards the COVID-19 relief fund as well the P40 000 donation towards the Mozambique flood victims,” Ms Botshabelo said.
For More News And Analysis About Botswana Follow Africa-Press
