Africa-Press – Botswana. Botswana Mine Workers Union (BMWU) president, Mr Joseph Tsimako has called for the mining industry to realign its goals and practices with industrial relations standards.
Mr Tsimako was speaking during the BMWU General Council and Business Insights seminar held in Selebi-Phikwe recently.
He said there was a need for the mining industry to realign its goals and practices to navigate towards the ‘True North’ strategic vision.
Furthermore, he expressed the need for a collaborative, cordial, and transparent relationship between mining stakeholders, aiming for a sustainable and equitable future for the sector.
“The idea of the summit was born from the realisation that the mining industry in the context of industrial relations was yet to find its ‘True North’. This follows a month of engagements between the union, business partners, and other relevant stakeholders,” said Mr Tsimako.
He spoke of the need for solidarity among mining stakeholders in pursuit of common objectives of navigating towards the ‘True North’.
In addition, he encouraged open dialogue and sustainable partnerships, and an environment where every voice was heard and valued.
Touching on mining industry challenges, Mr Tsimako said such includes a wide gap between employers and employees characterised by trade disputes, non-recognition of the union along the mining supply chain, poor mining operational standards, as well as marginalisation of the union in key policy and mineral development processes, hence the need for collaborative measures.
Moreover, he mentioned the evolving mining landscape, which he said called for the advent of technology in the workplace, innovative ways to conduct activities, citing the shift from a fossil fuel-driven economy to a green one.
The purpose of the BMWU General Council and Business Insights seminar, Mr Tsimako noted was to discuss the future of mining in Botswana, the future of employment in the mining sector, as well as emerging challenges in the evolving mining landscape.
The seminar was also set to encourage transition towards digitalised and technology-driven operations, dialogue about labour-employee cooperation for a sustainable and equitable mining industry.
Senior Employees Relations Manager at Debswana, Mr Tebatso Hule, emphasised the need for the mining industry to embrace cutting-edge technology to drive innovation and enhance operational efficiency.
He explained that integrating advanced technologies could significantly improve productivity and safety standards within the sector.
Furthermore, Mr Hule emphasised the critical role of trade unions, asserting that they must prioritise transparency and accountability in their operations.
He said such a move would accord unions an opportunity to effectively represent and advocate for the interests of their members, ensuring that workers’ voices were heard and their needs met.
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