09 May 2021

 Following an article carried by the Midweek Sun of May the 5, 2020, title Workers Union fed up with BDP, warn other political parties, the Minister for Presidential Affairs, Governance and Public Administration, Mr Kabo Morwaeng has responded to the article. 

 

Below is the full text of his response;

 

“I have taken note of an article carried by the Midweek Sun of the 5th May, 2020, titled Workers’ Unions fed up with BDP, warn other political parties, attributed to Botswana Federation of Public Private and Parastatal Sector Unions (BOFEPUSU) President, Johannes Tshukudu. 

 

The remarks attributed to Mr  Tshukudu are factually incorrect and misleading. 

 

To suggest that His Excellency, Dr. Mokgweetsi Eric Keabetswe Masisi and his government have failed to live up to the pledge of cultivating cordial working relations with the labour movement, as made during the 2019 General Elections, lacks merit. 

 

Indeed, His Excellency has committed to leading a consultative and transparent government, and he regularly engages key stakeholders, including trade unions, on pertinent issues of national interest, in both his official and private capacities. 

 

After his inauguration in 2019, among his first key stakeholder meetings, His Excellency met with union leaders. 

 

Additionally, when constituting the COVID-19 Task Force, trade unions were included as key components of the team, with Mr Tshukudu and Mr Martin Gabobake representing BOFEPUSU and BFTU, respectively. 

 

Over and above that, ever since coming into office, I have had frequent cordial and fruitful meetings with trade union leaders. 

 

For instance, on His Excellency’s guidance, on the 28th February, 2021, I met with some Public Service Trade Union leaders in Gaborone, where we discussed matters of national interest. 

 

In addition, at the end of March 2021, His Excellency convened a consultative meeting with trade union leaders at the State House, whereat he updated them on the impending constitutional review process as well as efforts targeted at ensuring good governance. 

 

On all these, he sought their input in order to make the processes inclusive.

 

There are, of course, areas of concern, especially in relation to the resuscitation of the Bargaining Council, something that His Excellency has acknowledged. 

 

Speaking on May Day this past week, His Excellency noted efforts on the part of both the DPSM and trade unions to appoint an independent facilitator to help the parties to mutually engage. 

 

He further stated that the parties had resolved to seek expert advice from the ILO to address outstanding issues in order to complete the task of resuscitating the Bargaining Council.

 

Lastly, as the Minister responsible for the public service, I am in constant contact and discussions with trade union leaders, and, importantly, I maintain an open-door policy to allow for ease of interaction between the Government and the labour movement.”

 

Kabo N. S. Morwaeng [Signed]

MINISTER FOR PRESIDENTIAL AFFAIRS, GOVERNANCE AND PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION