These are certainly difficult times for labour union movement in Botswana.
Many members are beginning to ask themselves if it is worth continuing paying membership fees when for the last five years or so, as members they do not have much to show for it, other than misery brought by ever steepening costs of living.
The public sector strike that took place just over two years ago has left many employees out of work, sacked on account of their participation in the strike action.
This has had a chilling effect.
Clearly trade unions are struggling not just to remain relevant but also to convince their members that unions and union leaders can be trusted.
The environment within which trade unions exist is very hostile.
While the Botswana government a few years ago took laudable steps to allow public officers to form trade unions it would seem the same government now has second thoughts about it, or worse is regretting having come up with such reforms.
Trade Union leaders are subjected to persecution, harassment and endless intimidation by various arms of government that come into play in various guises.
In some cases platforms established by the same government to deal with unions ass they represent their members are circumvented or humiliated by being ignored when big decisions are taken.
Our concern is that while the government clearly wants to curtail what it deems to be the growing strength of unions, the corollary effect might turn out to further radicalize and politicise the unions.
As it is, the net effect of all attempts by government to humiliate workers and the worker organization has been to deliver such organizations into the welcoming bosom of the opposition parties.
For government to now turn around and say trade union leaders should not engage in politics, when the government is in a corner using political tactics to humiliate trade unions is in our opinion disingenuous.
Strained industrial relations, we want to point out are a terrible hindrance when it comes to attracting foreign investments.
Botswana has struggled to attract foreign investment even during the days when industrial relations were among the best in the region, and worker orgainisations were not as radical, politicised and polarised as is the case today.
The recent deterioration of industrial relations effectively puts paid all effort to attract foreign investments, at a time when the economy is at its weakest and when the need for such investment has never been higher.
We hope those with power to change the course of events can see the importance of meaningful engagement so that we could get off from what seems to be a race to the bottom.
Having said that we want to advise members of trade union organizations, especially those in positions of leadership that current circumstances militate against division and disunity.
The clear divisions between and within trade unions in Botswana are a source of concern.
We call on union leaders to set aside their differences and try to find reasons that could make them cooperate across the industrial sectors that they represent.
Given that these are indeed difficult times for trade unions and workers in general, it is our heartfelt belief that if there was to be a sincere introspection, union leaders will come to a conclusion that there are more reasons for unity and cooperation than division.
