29 Aug 2024

Botswana Federation of Trade Unions (BFTU) has launched a manifesto that will guide its members ahead of the general elections.

Launching the manifesto on Tuesday, the federation’s secretary general, Mr Tshepiso Mbereki said members were encouraged to associate with candidates who spoke the same language with the manifesto, adding that it addressed the plight of workers and the social-economic challenges facing the country. “Our view as BFTU is not to reject or endorse any political party,” he said.

Mr Mbereki said those who aspire to take leadership positions after the general elections should take heed of the country workers’ thoughts on the economy as well as their plight.

He further said in crafting the manifesto, they engaged experts to look at critical issues and advise on the path to take, adding that the BFTU manifesto covered an array of issues that went beyond the federation’s mandate.

Mr Mbereki said among the key issues captured in the document was the unemployment challenge which mostly affected young people. He added that whoever took power in October must deal with the issue, noting that theirs was that redesigning the early exit policy could address the problem.

He also said there was the challenge of the working poor and those poor but not working. He further said BFTU would prefer a leadership that would, among others, address inequalities in society which he attributed to the huge wage gap.

Mr Mbereki said other issues covered in the manifesto included collective bargaining and employee empowerment, corruption and economic crime, citizen empowerment as well as accountability, good governance and strong state institutions.

Additionally, he said, the manifesto included small, micro and medium enterprises, global and regional integration, education and human resources management as well as environment protection.

The federation’s second deputy president, Ms Gaebepe Molaodi said they advocated for decent work and the dignity of workers across all sectors of the economy.

She further said BFTU preferred a government that cared for the workers and not only empty promises.

During comments, participants commended the trade union, but opined that the manifesto should have been launched earlier. Others urged BFTU to endorse a political party that resonated with their demands.

However, Mr Mbereki rejected the proposal, arguing that their members were from different political parties. ENDS