Who has won the war over the public service salary increase strike ÔÇô the government or the workers? The question has risen to the fore with a fresh urgency today (Tuesday) as the two parties stagger out of their corners like two battle weary boxers after a bruising bout, sporting bloody noses and black eyes, each raising a feeble fist to claim victory.
Government and the Botswana Federation of Trade Unions (BOFEPUSU) are each counting losses and gains as they prepare to take up seats around the bargaining table for another shot at a peaceful settlement this afternoon. More than a month ago, BOFEPUSU led 90 000 civil servants on a wild cat strike in an unprecedented display of militancy.
The battle lines were drawn in the run up to the reading of the national budget speech. Public sector trade unions announced plans to negotiate for a salary increase. They have not had a salary increase in three years. Prices were escalating, and they sought a 12.5 % inflation adjustment and a 2.5% salary increase, which would cumulatively make 16%.
President Ian Khama immediately announced that government could not afford a salary hike. This led to weeks of an engrossing confrontation between the two parties: Unions accused government of negotiating in bad faith as President Khama should not have made such an announcement while negotiations were on going. There was a sense that the president had painted himself and his government into a corner. During the negotiations, the union could not dislodge government from their position. To most union members, this uncompromising stance was entirely in keeping with Khama’s reputation as a leader who always has to win at all costs and a fierce critic of the labour union movement. At the end of round one, the combative former army general and his charges appeared to be losing the battle against public sector workers. The strike started taking a toll on medical care and led to closure of a number of government hospitals and clinics.
Opposition parties joined the fray, fighting the workers’ corner. They came in droves, hugged, kissed and joined in chanting songs of regime change. Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) government cried foul, that the strike was politically motivated. The opposition stuck out the middle finger insisting that they will not sit back and keep silent while the welfare of their constituents was at stake. The 90┬á000 strong public servants, basking in the affection of the opposition, also said they will only vote for those who have their interests at heart.
Then the tide seemed to be turning against the workers after the court ordered 1,478 civil servants considered essential workers to go back to work. Government implemented the no work no pay rule and dismissed essential services employees who defied the court order. Fatigue was also setting in among the striking civil servants. Those who were dismissed from work were becoming panicky, while prospects of loss of income made a huge dent on the strikers’ morale. Trade union leaders were also beginning to think that they had made their point and they should return to work. To them, it was evident that only Khama was refusing to give them a salary hike.
The strike, however, caught a second wind following clashes between police and angry students demonstrating over the interruption in their studies. The Minister of Education, Pelonomi Venson Moitoi was forced to close government and private sector schools indefinitely, saying she was acting to safeguard students, staff and government property. This brought pressure to bear on government. Diplomats whose children go to private schools in Gaborone started asking questions.
Cracks started showing in the Botswana Democratic Party leadership and more civil servants joined the strike in solidarity with the dismissed essential services workers. The opposition also organised the biggest political rally ever, where Duma Boko, Gomolemo Motswaledi and Dumelang Saleshando declared support for the workers.
The arrest of the rabble-rousing former President of Botswana Landboards, Local Authority and Health Workers Union Pelotshweu Baeng also recharged the strikers’ morale. He was accused of inciting striking workers in Serowe to burn something up. He even taught them how to make petrol bombs. In Ramotswa, he is alleged to have been involved in the assault of intelligence officers.
The workers came in droves during his court appearances. They chanted songs of freedom and sang his praises. He was truly the man of the moment. When he did address them, he dedicated the few years of his remaining life to working for the rights of the oppressed workers. He told them that they should fight on and never look back. He roused them up and even drove a few women to tears.
Only days prior to that, Permanent Secretary to the President Eric Molale announced that government has suspended wage negotiations until the workers returned to work. It looked like there would be no end to the strike. Somehow the BDP MP’s found their voices. Kentse Rammidi, who recently had several run-ins with Khama, went to the morula tree and rallied the workers on. Mmoloki Raletobana was also quoted saying BDP back benchers will approach Khama to seek a solution to the deadlock.
To many people, Khama remains the problem. Every employee who convenes at the morula tree is convinced that everyone else, except Khama and his coterie of foot soldiers, agree that their demands for a salary hike are justified.
At the same time, Khama and his government believe that workers would never have gone on strike if they were not influenced by the opposition. Khama is at war. That’s why he refuses to meet trade union leaders, BDP MP’s, ex Presidents and even church leaders to talk about the issue. He has publicly said he does not buy votes with unjustified and impossible increments.
“I don’t know if they have ears. There is no money. We will not give them money even if they strike for five years” he said.
It is now a contest of egos. The opposition has to cash in, trade union leaders have to cash in, and Khama has to win. But he is under increasing pressure even from within the BDP to reach a compromise with the workers.
The trade union leaders are also under pressure. They started the strike. People have lost their jobs. Others have not been paid. In the end, the strike should never come to naught. Motshwarakgole and his ilk would lose their credibility. Union leaders have to be seen as men of steel who led their charges into war and walked away with glory. Everyone has to come out of this deadlock with a semblance of credibility.BDP MPs are praying that at least Khama backs down and gives the workers something. The opposition are also praying for an end to this mess, but with something for the workers as well. They will claim credibility come election time. They will remind the workers that they stood by them during tough times.
Khama has to emerge as a seasoned and tough leader who triumphed through adversity and easily dealt with the holy trinity of Motswaledi, Saleshando and Boko.
But he is also wise enough to realise that pressure is mounting. They threatened to call for a special parliamentary sitting during which they would pass a motion of no confidence against him. With his popularity ratings at their lowest ebb, would he risk a snap election? Can he count on the support of his MP’s some of whom were clearly against his stance on the strike?
Government has somehow relented. Just a day after he announced an end to wage negotiations, reports resurfaced that, negotiations were in earnest and a solution was at hand. By Sunday, the two parties had agreed on a 3% increment, which would be implemented through a pyramid form. The unions are also demanding the unconditional reinstatement of fired essential services employees and the revoking of the no work no pay rule.
Again, it is clear that the negotiating team would not immediately agree with the trade unions demands until they were given the green light by the men at the top. So they asked for a hiatus while they pondered on the trade unions demands. Talks will resume on Tuesday.
Now everyone is holding their breath. Festinah Bakwena is hoping for a quick solution to the mess so that she can remain employed when the dust settles. Pelonomi Venson-Moitoi is praying for an end to this mess because her resume is becoming tattered by the day. Motshwarakgole, Motsamai, Cut Kekgonegile and other trade union leaders are also hoping for an amicable solution. They can sense fatigue from within their membership. Secondly, they stand at risk of losing public support if the strike continues indefinitely. Thirdly, they are praying that the workers will return to work with their heads held high. The dismissed workers have to be reinstated. Government has to back down on her no work no pay stance.
Ian Khama is simply standing his ground. He will never concede defeat to the opposition. It is now a game of egos. Everyone is bruised and exhausted. But no one wants to back down. The pugilists have battered each other to near death. Meanwhile ordinary Batswana are suffering. The international community is taking notice. But nobody wants to walk away with nothing. The defining moment is Tuesday. Who will emerge the loser?
