Africa-Press – Botswana. Minister for State President, Mr Moeti Mohwasa, has called for trade unions to criticise government constructively in order to be able to effectively and holistically address the identified labour issues.
Officiating during the Labour Day, which was commemorated under the theme: Workers’ Rights are Human Rights in Ghanzi, Mr Mohwasa acknowledged that government
was grappling with many labour issues,which he said dated way back.
He declared government’s commitment to collaborating with trade unions for smooth coordination pertaining to issues besieging both the public service and the private sector for a progressive workforce in the country.
Mr Mohwasa further urged workers to be patient with the processes as the new administration was working round the clock to rectify and domesticate some labour laws whose absence had been hindering service delivery and compromising the workers’
welfare.
To proof their commitment to building rapport with trade unions, he said the government moved for the resuscitation of Public Service Bargaining Council, a vital organ that he said would ensure that government delivered on its promises
concerning the workers’ welfare issues.
Mr Mohwasa further urged workers to be cautious with the kind of information they consumed related to their welfare issues, adding that they should be committed and focused when advocating for their issues, without any external interferences that might jeopardise their efforts.
He also said government was committed to overhauling the Constitution, which he said was not aligned to the new government’s aspirations.
For his part, Minister of Labour and Home Affairs, Major General Pius Mokgware also urged trade unions to collaborate with government and propose constructive amendments on existing labour laws that they believed ware oppressive to
workers.
He observed that many a times unions submitted petitions without any supportive
recommendations, emphasising that recommendations were necessary for guiding government and relevant stakeholders in drafting bills accordingly.
Major General Mokgware further said government was committed to formulating labour laws and regulations that would promote decent jobs across all sectors and reduce labour disputes, adding that International Labour Organisation 190 convention that promoted safe workplaces free from violence and harassment would be
rectified and domesticated.
Earlier in her welcome remarks, Kgosi Annah Rankho acknowledged that workers were great contributors to the growth of the economy event though some were working under harsh conditions with limited resources.
She, therefore, called for their recognition to boost their morale to diligently serve the
communities.
For his part, Botswana Federation of Public, Parastatal and Private Sector Unions president, Mr Gotlamang Oitsile pleaded with government to consider developing laws and
regulations that promoted decent jobs with decent salaries in order to improve workers’ livelihoods.
He complained that workers were faced with social injustices such as harassment, violence, being denied the right to affiliate with unions as well as low wages despite playing a pivotal role in building the economy
of the country while Botswana Federation of Trade Unions president, Ms Martha Molema
called for social dialogues that would produce outcomes instead of communiques.
In his closing remarks, MP for Ghanzi, Mr Noah Salakae assured the workers that legislators were committed to building a future esteemed with dignity, respect and fairness.
He acknowledged the snail pace at which initiatives were progressing, but urged employees and trade unions to exercise patience and pin their hopes on theassurance that the legislature would deliver on the manifesto aspirations.
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