02 May 2024

Government has embarked on an exercise to review labour laws including the Public Service Act.

Speaking at May Day commemoration in Rakops on May 1,  Acting President, Mr Slumber Tsogwane said the hope was that once approved by Parliament, the laws would facilitate decent work that the country strived for.

He said government acknowledged the pivotal role that labour standards played not only on fostering an environment conducive to foreign direct investment but also in enhancing the country’s appeal to emerging markets.

“In today’s landscape of corporate finance encompassing environment, social and governance principles, investors scrutinise labour laws as a critical factor in their investment decision-making process,” he said. Recent studies, he said, had shown that, foreign direct investors ranked work force quality, political and social harmony over cost considerations when selecting investment destinations.

He noted that countries that flouted standards did not exhibit heightened competitiveness in the global market space. Mr Tsogwane stated that labour standards, therefore, served as a beacon of adaptability in response to evolving labour dynamics, safeguarding the rights of workers whilst nurturing growth of sustainable enterprises.

He said it was imperative to acknowledge strides made in enhancing labour relations whilst simultaneously acknowledging the imperative for continual progress.

“Both the labour movement and government must remain steadfast in their dedication of fostering a climate of mutual respect and collaboration, which would propel us towards a future marked by a shared prosperity and inclusivity.

He urged all to forge a path that championed the rights and well being of every worker, laying the foundation for an equitable and sustainable future. Mr Tsogwane, who is also Boteti West Member of Parliament implored all to reaffirm commitment to fostering a conducive environment where every worker was valued, respected and provided with dignity and fairness they rightly deserved.

“Together let us strive for a future where decent jobs are not just a slogan but a tangible reality for all,” he said. For his part, the BOFEPUSU chairperson in Rakops, Mr Raki Field Marshall said the theme: Decent Jobs for Just Transition’ explained union mandate of bargaining for better treatment by employer and employee welfare issues.

Mr Field Marshall said it also called for workers’ rights to decent jobs, unionise, strike, decent wages and accommodation. BOPEU Chairperson- Central West Mr Joseph Kasorere said government had signed a tripartite decent work country programme, which would be coming to an end in 2024.

The priorities of the decent work programme were and are still sustainable employment creation for the youth as well as increased and improved quality social protection and conditions for work for all.

Mr Kasorere stated that as the programme came to end, the tripartite must evaluate the programme and establish what had been achieved and where they encountered failures. He stated that BOPEU they called upon the government to ensure that the process of evaluation was given the attention it deserved, if the intention was to achieve objectives of providing decent work to the people. ENDS