The Botswana Federation of Public Sector Unions (BOFEPUSO) is threatening to de-campaign members of parliament who support the proposed law that seeks to classify some professions as essential.
BOFEPUSO Secretary General, Johnson Motshwarakgole, said that may be their only option should they fail to dislodge government from its position on some labour issues.
“Botswana is in trouble. We believe that government has not realized the seriousness of the troubles we find our self in. A serious dialogue between the labour movement and government is urgently needed over many issues, including that of essential services. In the event that dialogue fails, we will have no option but to de-campaign some people,” Motshwarakgole told the Telegraph on Monday.
On the eve of the 2009 general elections, the Botswana Manuel Worker’s Union de-campaigned some ruling party Members of Parliament and Ministers. The union targeted the Vice President Mompati Merafhe, ministers Phandu Skelemani, Neo Moroka, Jacob Nkate and MPs Kavis Kario, Kentse Rammidi and Edwin Batshu.
The five public sector unions mounted a spirited strike action never seen in the history of the country over a pay hike only to suspend the action indefinitely. The impact of the strike action was felt mainly in the public health care and education sectors. This prompted the Minister of Labour and Home Affairs Peter Siele declaring the services of teachers, veterinary services, and diamond sorters, among others, essential before rushing to parliament asking it to approve the legal instrument.
The instrument, described as an angry law by an angry minister of an angry government, did not see the end of the day as it was blocked by the MP for Gaborone Central, Dumelang Saleshando. The minister is, however, bringing the proposed amendment back to parliament.
Over 2800 civil servants were fired by the government during the strike action. Parliament was told on Monday that of the 2844 expelled, only 73 have been paid their terminal benefits, according to the Minister of Presidential Affairs and Public Administration, Mokgweetsi Masisi.
