Labour Relations Law

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[LAW 337(LABOUR RELATIONS LAW] “Critically discuss the above statement, taking into account the current situation in Botswana and determine whether or not you agree that trade unions should participate in the political affairs of the country.” INRODUCTION The main focus of this paper is to make a critical analysis of the statement made by the late President Sir Seretse Khama when he spoke about trade union in his country in the 1971. This paper will therefore attempt to highlight the role of trade unions in Botswana the concept of labour and democracy. We will look at two issues, the first being; whether trade unions in this country (Botswana), have been given freedom to represent their members and the second being whether trade unions have not been given freedom to promote the interest of political parties or external power. Following through, we shall look at the current position of trade unions in regard to their ability to express their views “freely” on a number of social and economic problems. Lastly, the issue that will be discussed is whether or not trade unions should participate in the political affairs of the country. TRADE UNIONS IN BOTSWANA Botswana became independent in 1966, of which there were only four registered trade unions; the Bechuanaland Protectorate Workers Union (BPWU), the Francistown African Employees Union (FAEU), the Bechuanaland Trade Union Congress (BTUC) and the Bechuanaland General Workers Organisation. After independence, the government introduced the Trade Disputes Act and the Trade Unions Act in order to control and regulate labour in Botswana. The two Acts were enacted to “make provision for the registration and control of trade unions”. One could say that since the year 1971 wh... ... middle of paper ... ...icity and government departments and parastatals of which the end result has been the dominance of government in the economy. Trade unions together with the government have to come together and evaluate negotiation measures and the way in which the procedure of implementation will transform. We need good governance; we need the late President’s speech to come alive in our country Botswana. REFERENCES 1) Monageng Mogalakwe,The State and Organised Labour In Botswana, ‘Liberal Democracy’ in emergent capitalism- 1977 2) Louis A. Picard, The Politics of Development in Botswana: A model of Success? 3) The Role of Trade Unions in Developing Societies, International Institute for Labour Studies Geneva 4) R. Nengwekhulu, Political Parties as Facilitators of Politics in Botswana, 4 August 1988 5) Trade Union in Botswana Country Report 2003 & 2008

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