05 May 2024

A highly productive public service would help the country attain its dream of economic diversification and high income status.

Speaking at the Labour Day celebrations hosted by Botswana Federation of Public Service Unions (BOFEPUSU) in Molepolole recently, the MP for Molepolole North, Mr Oabile Regoeng said it was imperative for officers to ensure they offer excellent service to the public.

He said a high income status would enable the government to improve the officers’ welfare and offer them ideal salary increments.

Mr Regoeng, who was responding to earlier comments by Union members for salary increments, said the onus was upon each officer to ensure they offer eight hours of quality service.

“Some of you have complained about the time it takes to receive your leave concessions and implementation of court orders. The ball is in your court as all these are in the hands of officers,” he said.

He said negotiations over salaries were taking long to be concluded due to low productivity levels.

He said Batswana have been complaining about poor service delivery, adding the Government Accounting system had now become an excuse.

The MP said while Unions were agitating for salary increment as the economy had registered slight growth, they should remember that should there be a decline, they could be held accountable.

He urged the public officers to remain committed and patriotic to drive the country forward.

Mr Regoeng said it was, however, imperative for Union members to constantly engage government over their welfare, adding that government was committed to a fair labour environment, as a member of the International Labour Organisation.

He said the employees should work in a conducive environment with salaries that were in line with the demands of the modern economy.

Mr Regoeng encouraged them to work and negotiate as a unit.

He said even after promotion, members should not forget the struggle their fellow employees were going through and should continue to use their positions to address their challenges.

He said issues raised by Botswana Nurses Union were being addressed, saying government was aware that centralisation of clinics had disadvantaged nurses who were under the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development.

Talking about teacher’s accommodation, he said government encouraged Batswana to build houses that could be leased out to house public officers.

“Construct houses so the government could accommodate public officers,” he said.

On double shifts at schools, he said it was introduced during COVID-19 but was to be phased out.

The MP said government was aware of the low salaries paid to public officers, adding it was not proper for issues to be addressed at courts. ENDS