Botswana’s 5+1 cooperating trade unions have formally petitioned the government over deteriorating working conditions and the lack of salary adjustments for public sector employees.
The petition was delivered late Monday to Minister for State President Moeti Caesar Mohwasa who received the delegation at his office in Gaborone.
The unions, representing a coalition of six major public sector bodies, called for urgent intervention to improve workplace conditions and resume stalled salary negotiations.
The 5+1 coalition includes the National Amalgamated Local, Central and Parastatal Manual Workers Union, Botswana Public Employees’ Union, Botswana Teachers Union, Botswana Sectors of Educators Trade Union, Botswana Nurses Union and Botswana Doctors Union.
Together, they represent thousands of civil servants across education, healthcare and administrative sectors.
In the petition, union leaders cited stagnant wages, poor occupational safety standards and the erosion of collective bargaining structures as key concerns.
They also reiterated calls for the restoration of the Public Service Bargaining Council, which they say is critical to resolving disputes and ensuring fair representation.
The unions called for the immediate removal of Directorate of Public Service Management (DPSM) director Gaone Macholo whom they accused of ignoring their grievances.
Mohwasa welcomed the peaceful and organised approach by the unions, reaffirming government’s commitment to the P4,000 (about US$295) living wage pledge that the Umbrella for Democratic Change administration made in the run-up to last year’s general election that ushered it to power.
He also pledged to maintain an open-door policy for future dialogue.
The petition followed months of escalating tensions between the unions and the DPSM, including legal action filed in July over the collapse of salary negotiations.
JN/APA