BOFEPUSU dares Govt on Scarce Skill, overtime allowances
Says the decision will be met with resistance
Botswana Federation of Public, Private and Parastatal Sector Unions ( BOFEPUSU) have warned government against ending the Scarce Skill and overtime allowances.
According to the federation, the Minister of Finance and Economic Development Peggy Serame was being rhetoric about the issue.
In her Budget Speech Minister Serame stated that various initiatives have already been introduced to contain costs, and a further set of measures will be introduced in the coming financial year.
She said these will target expenditure that can be reduced without compromising on service delivery, and requiring the beneficiaries of some public services to share in the costs of provision where they can afford to do so.
“Particular attention is being paid to the amount of money spent on scarce skills allowances in the public service, much of which may no longer be justified in terms of the need to recruit and retain employees. Similarly, the amount spent on overtime allowances appears to be excessive and will be cut back.
The government also spends large amounts on tuition fees and maintenance allowances for students in tertiary education. This is an area of possible costsharing with parents, where they have the ability to pay,” she said.
Serame added that in line with the practice and commitments of the BDP Government, extensive consultations will take place before any major changes are introduced.
When responding this week to Serame’s speech BOFEPUSU leadership warned that if the government goes ahead with the decision it will be suicidal and will be met with resistance.
BOFEPUSU Secretary General Tobokani Rari told media on Wednesday this week that Scarce Skill is a dispute of right. He stated that it has to go through the bargaining process. He said there is no how government can alter Collective Bargaining Agreement ( CBA).
“According to best international practice, if an allowance you depend on is taken or withdrawn, it has to be absorbed into one’s salary to avoid eroding one’s value”.
If you cut overtime allowance you are at the same time cutting service delivery. Overtime allowance is an agreement between an employer and an employee
He said the government has taken the cue from the PERMANDU Report on Scarce Skills. “If you cut overtime allowance you are at the same
time cutting service delivery. Overtime allowance is an agreement between an employer and an employee,” Rari said.
The secretary general pointed out that they are worried that the laws of the country are not
protecting workers both from public and private sector. He explained that the Employment Act is protecting the employer more than the employee.
He challenged Parliament to scrutinise the law to ensure it is protective enough for the workers. He said the failure by the legislation to protect workers, will result in more retrenchments and an increase in unemployment rate which is currently sky- rocketing.