As a new government begins its term, some are optimistic about its potential for positive change. However, Cde Kaboda Phillip, Secretary General of the Botswana Government Workers Union (BOGOWU), remains highly skeptical. He voiced his concerns during the launch of the Free Trade Union Movement (FRETUM), highlighting the uncertain future of trade unions under the current political climate.
Cde Phillip first lamented the lack of genuine leadership across broad sectors of public life, focusing his critique on politics and trade unionism. He pointed out that President Duma Boko’s recent state-of-the-nation address, which set a 100-day plan for renewal and Economic recovery, lacked tangible progress. The president emphasized restoring trust, revitalizing the economy, and promoting equity — yet, Cde Phillip argued, little has changed from the previous government’s approach.
He criticized the UDC government’s actions, noting their contradictory stance: while President Boko publicly advocates for workers’ rights, the government’s recent amendments to the Public Service Act threaten the very essence of trade unionism. The law’s new provisions, which impose arbitrary thresholds for union inclusion in the Public Service Bargaining Council (PSBC), favour larger unions and exclude smaller ones, deepening distrust and division. Sadly, efforts by unions such as BOGOWU, TAWU, and the Botswana Doctors’ Union to meet with President Boko and other officials have been met with silence, further indicating a bleak outlook.
Cde Phillip expressed concern that the government’s dual roles—as regulator through the Ministry of Labour and as employer via the Directorate of Public Service Management—are being abused. This overlapping authority allows the government to manipulate laws in ways that undermine trade unions, giving it unfair advantages.
He also warned about the rise of self-serving leadership within the trade union movement. Reflecting on the 2011 civil servant strike, dubbed “the mother of strikes,” he pointed out that many union leaders’ personal interests compromised the strike’s legitimacy. Several workers faced disciplinary action, some even expelled from civil service, with tragic consequences—including heart attacks and unpaid debts—highlighting the importance of effective, ethical leadership.
Cde Phillip concluded that unless unions adopt a collective and principled stance, their future will remain uncertain. He emphasized that a stronger, united movement is essential for defending workers’ rights amid these challenging political developments.
