Africa-Press – Botswana. Trade unions have been implored to collaborate with the government through proposing constructive amendments to the existing labour laws which they believe are oppressive to workers.
Speaking at the national commemoration of the International Worker’s Day in Ghanzi, Minister of Labour and Home Affairs, Major General Pius Mokgware said unions had, in many cases, submitted petitions and grievances without supportive recommendations. He said the proposed recommendations by unions would inform the government when drafting bills.
On other issues, he said the ministry was also aware of red tapes that besieged the public service and private sector during the past regime. He said the red tapes were considered to have hindered progress on labour issues over the past years.
He therefore underscored the current government’s commitment to amend labour laws and regulations that would promote decent jobs across all sectors and reduce labour disputes.
Major Gen. Mokgware said government had resuscitated the Public Sector Bargaining Council and would work harmoniously together to address labour related issues. He also promised that government would domesticate the International Labour Organisation (ILO) 190 Convention.
Earlier on, BOFEPUSU President, Mr Gotlamang Oitsile had asked government to consider developing laws and regulations which promoted decent jobs with decent salaries in order to improve workers lives.
Mr Oitsile decried that workers still faced social injustices such as harassment, violence, refusal to affiliate to trade unions and low wages in their workplaces, despite playing a pivotal role in building the economy of this country.
The commemoration was held under the theme ‘Workers Rights Are Human Rights’.
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