16 Feb 2025

Collaboration between government and trade unions remained critical in creating a flourishing economy for Botswana, says Minister for State President, Mr Moeti Mohwasa.

“Trade unions are an important stakeholder in government’s developmental agenda and nation building,” Mr Mohwasa said when officially opening the Botswana Federation of Trade Unions (BFTU) elective delegates’ congress in Palapye on Friday.

Therefore, he appealed to unionists to work together with government to ensure that the economy was sustainable and that workers received fair treatment.

He said government believed in social dialogue as a component for decent work for all, adding that trade unions were not a force against government, but a partner in building a prosperous future for Batswana.

He said social dialogue was of fundamental importance to government hence prioritisation of the promotion of dialogue to achieve sound industrial relations between the employer and the worker through effective policies and programmes.

He said Botswana aligned herself with the ideals of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) with regard to international labour standards and would do everything to ensure compliance and tapped up support from unions.

He said Botswana as a member of ILO had made significant progress in the implementation of International labour standards.

He said Botswana domesticated its labour legislation to cater for freedom of association and collective bargaining, adding that cooperation by government, employers and workers’ groups was critical to bringing about a healthy approach to tackling challenges of the workplace.

Mr Mohwasa said with only three months into power, the ruling Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) welcomed all views and was committed to freedom of speech; hence he urged unions to engage the government.

He said UDC was committed to delivering all promises made during electioneering period. He said the government would create employment, fight corruption and improve the livelihoods of Batswana.

Kgosi Martha Lebang of Palapye appreciated union bodies for the welfare initiatives geared at improving the lives and livelihood of their members.

BFTU secretary general, Mr Tshephiso Mbereki, who handed over a petition to the minister seeking government to take action against gender-based violence  (GBV) concerns in Botswana, said policies and laws should be reviewed and tightened.

He said unionists were concerned about GBV and murder cases occurring daily in Botswana, adding that GBV was a violation of basic human rights, especially those of women and children, hence the need to seriously campaign against it.

He said failure by the community, government of the day and the nation to act in concert to fight GBV would mean that it would never be overcame.

Mr Mbereki said GBV was one of the major indicators of gender inequality.

“GBV does not only affect individuals and families, but also the national economy as the country was forced to channel most resources towards fighting it,” he said.

He said GBV in the workplace ended up with employees being depressed, frustrated and job losses. ENDS