Africa-Press – Botswana. The Minister for State President, Mr Moeti Mohwasa is expected to officiate International Workers Day celebration in Ghanzi today.
The day, observed on May 1st serves as a global occasion to honour the contributions and struggle of workers.
Botswana Federation of Trade Unions(BFTU) Secretary General, Mr Tshepiso Mbereki, said in an interview on Tuesday that the day should be commemorated in solidarity to recognise the significance of workers across all sectors.
He said the theme for this year’s celebration which is ‘Workers’ rights are human rights,’ resonated with adopted declaration of Philadelphia of 1944 that restated the traditional objectives of the International Labour Organisation(ILO) focused on human rights.
He acknowledged that the commemoration came six months after the country’s general elections ushered in a new government that promised to adopt a human right’ centric approach.
Mr Mbereki therefore said it was befitting to commemorate the day under this auspicious theme, adding that they chose Ghanzi as the host area, after thorough deliberations to commemorate the day outside Gaborone.
He said they had so far, held commemorations in different places such as, Francistown Maun, Selebi-Phikwe, and Tsabong. He added that the move would allow workers across all the districts to be part and parcel of the day by hosting such celebrations in their respective districts.
Mr Mbereki said they had conducted a series of events in preparation towards the commemoration through social events, Radio and Television interviews as a way of reaching workers in different areas to sensitise them about the federations mandate.
He said during the commemoration, there would also be the launch of a campaign towards the ratification of Convention 190 that would be officiated by government, federation leadership and officials from ILO.
He explained that the launch would pave way for build-up activities aimed at sensitising workers on issues including violence and harassment in the workplace. Mr Mbereki argued that employees should work under a conducive environment without any fear of harassment.
On other issues, he said there would be some discussions on child labour and May Day symposium that would be conducted on April 30 at Ghanzi community hall and facilitated by political parties, federation, and Human rights lawyer, Advocate Joao Salbany.
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