While the government has for a long time been condemned for failing to resurrect the Public Service Bargaining Council (PSBC), President Masisi maintains that his government has PSBC as a priority.
It has been roughly three (3) years now since His Excellency the President Mokgweetsi Eric Keabetswe Masisi ascended to the highest seat. Soon after his inaguration, President Masisi promised public servants that he will as a matter of urgency resuscitate their bargaining council.
However, years has since passed, but the Public Service Bargaining Council is still non-existent, even after its resuscitation was greatly amplified by the ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) during 2019 elections campaigns.
According to President Masisi, the resurrection of the bargaining council was delayed because for the past three (3) years, it has proved difficult to get all the nine (9) Public ServiceTrade Unions to sit at the same table.
However, it seems there is light at the end of the tunnel as President Masisi notes that just recently the nine (9) Public Service Trade Unions have agreed to negotiate with Government in unison. As a result, the President says, both parties, have signed the Terms of Reference for the technical and reference committee for the resuscitation of the Public Service Bargaining Council.
“Ladies and Gentlemen, it has been three years since I reiterated Government’s commitment to the resuscitation of the Public Service Bargaining Council (PSBC). As you are aware, the process of resuscitation can only be achieved by Government and Public Service Trade Unions by agreeing on a constitution for the PSBC which is a statutory structure established in terms of the Public Service Act of 2008” President Masisi said on the occasion of the National General Congress of the Botswana Public Employees Union (BOPEU) meeting earlier today.
