BOFEPUSU proposes 13.5% salary hike
Botswana Federation of Public Sector Unions (BOFEPUSU) has proposed a 13.5% salary increment for civil servants under its mandate in the 2016/2017 salary negotiations.
In its 2016 salary negotiation proposal submitted to the Public Service Bargaining Council (PSBC) on the 23rd of November 2015, BOFEPUSU states that the increment which will thrust government’s wage bill up to P1.6 billion is affordable as inflation since 2009 has increased by an astounding 43.7% with an 8% annual upsurge.
BOFEPUSU salary increment proposal in possession of WeekendPost also states that at the same time civil servants salaries were adjusted by a total 16% with the last increments done in 2010, 2011 and 2012 respectively with 10 and 3% each and without any increment in 2009 due to constraints associated with the financial down turn as well as in 2013 due protracted talks at PSBC.
BOFEPUSU says that it has calculated the wage bill of employees falling under the Public Service Act of 2008(PSA) to top the staggering figure of P12 billion and therefore the 13.5% increment will result in a wage bill pegged at P1,6 billion.
It also continues that the negotiations should be done to benefit only employee’s governed by the Public Service Act (2008) and that it wants its increment negotiations to exclude Members of Parliament, Councilors, and Dikgosi since they got up to 40% salary increments, atop a 6% hike that was negotiated for public service employees during the 2015/2016 salary negotiations.
Warns against Economic Stimulus Program (ESP)
BOFEPUSU also gives an ominous warning to government on going against the grain of counsel from Western think tanks, including Brookings Institute which it terms one of the best think tanks in the world as well as the National Development Plan 9(NDP 9) on its careening laser focus on infrastructural development. BOFEPUSU states, “It has been reported that Botswana is one of 10 Sub-Saharan countries that has surpassed the threshold for the domestic bankrolling of infrastructure. The acceptable limit is 5-6% while Botswana earmarks 7.1-8% of its GDP.”
BOFEPUSU also states that it is aware that government intends to draw funds from its foreign reserves to bankroll infrastructure development despite several warnings on its over-commitment on infrastructural development at the negligence of social and economic needs of households.
BOFEPUSU also continues to justify the 13.5% increment by citing that the economic stimulus program which it says will result in money being injected into the economy and it believes that the employees will not be forgotten considering their appreciation of the global financial tumult during the 2008 period and enduring long periods without any increment.
The powerful trade union bloc also says that; the fact that inflation is presently at its lowest in decades, having fallen below Bank of Botswana’s long term objective of 3-6% this actually means that real wages are being left at risk and therefore a significant salary increment will be a much needed shot in the arm for households and consequently stimulate small business sector growth.
BOFEPUSU also discouraged government against its intended reduction of the wage bill through ways that will not see protection of real wages as it is already a dispiriting factor for civil service employees. It goes on to state that it is alive to the fact that its wage increment proposition coincides with a time when there is need for fiscal restraint. It continues to warn that government’s large wage bill is related to the fact that government is a major employer as there is inadequate new employment in the private sector before proposing that efforts to reduce wage bill may not always be achieved by way of freezing wages of workers already employed.
Calls for scaling back spending on Security, Defense and Social Safety Nets
BOFEPUSU further proposes that in terms of overall expenditure a reduction in non-productive expenditure should be put in place such as those used in social safety nets. It goes on to say that to achieve these goals other areas to give less priority in less spending are Security and Defense and that efforts should be put in place to increase employment creation as a sustainable way of poverty eradication, rather that increasing spending on unproductive activities that contribute to a culture of dependency.
BOFEPUSU’s approximations also indicate that the country is on a track of pre-economic crisis growth levels and that government’s efforts to reduce the economy’s dependency on mining is bearing fruit. It also states that government has to bear in mind the escalation in prices of utilities such as electricity, medical aid, postal charges as well as residential rentals all which have recently rocketed skywards as well as the country’s economic system as an unregulated open market economy, exacerbates the problem as price increments for business will always transfer costs to consumers.
Introduction of 10% housing allowance for all civil servants
BOFEPUSU also proposes that in the 2016/2017 financial year, a housing allowance of 10% be introduced for all public service employees as it is no secret that financial institutions take delight and find it easy to advance funding to those with housing allowance. It also proposes that the current housing and upkeep allowance be considered a right to salary to its current beneficiaries and that a real housing allowance linked to salary be introduced. However it also proposes that for officers staying in government accommodation should have their housing allowance be scrapped off while those who do not stay in pool houses be eligible for the housing allowance.
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Nigerians, Zimbabweans apply for Chema Chema Fund
Fronting activities, where locals are used as a front for foreign-owned businesses, have been a long-standing issue in Botswana. These activities not only undermine the government’s efforts to promote local businesses but also deprive Batswana of opportunities for economic empowerment, officials say. The Ministry of Trade and Industry has warned of heavy penalties for those involved in fronting activities especially in relation to the latest popular government initiative dubbed Chema Chema.
According to the Ministry, the Industrial Development Act of 2019 clearly outlines the consequences of engaging in fronting activities. The fines of up to P50,000 for first-time offenders and P20,000 plus a two-year jail term for repeat offenders send a strong message that the government is serious about cracking down on this illegal practice. These penalties are meant to deter individuals from participating in fronting activities and to protect the integrity of local industries.
“It is disheartening to hear reports of collaboration between foreigners and locals to exploit government initiatives such as the Chema Chema Fund. This fund, administered by CEDA and LEA, is meant to support informal traders and low-income earners in Botswana. However, when fronting activities come into play, the intended beneficiaries are sidelined, and the funds are misused for personal gain.” It has been discovered that foreign nationals predominantly of Zimbabwean and Nigerian origin use unsuspecting Batswana to attempt to access the Chema Chema Fund. It is understood that they approach these Batswana under the guise of drafting business plans for them or simply coming up with ‘bankable business ideas that qualify for Chema Chema.’
Observers say the Chema Chema Fund has the potential to uplift the lives of many Batswana who are struggling to make ends meet. They argue that it is crucial that these funds are used for their intended purpose and not siphoned off through illegal activities such as fronting. The Ministry says the warning it issued serves as a reminder to all stakeholders involved in the administration of these funds to ensure transparency and accountability in their disbursement.
One local commentator said it is important to highlight the impact of fronting activities on the local economy and the livelihoods of Batswana. He said by using locals as a front for foreign-owned businesses, opportunities for local entrepreneurs are stifled, and the economic empowerment of Batswana is hindered. The Ministry’s warning of heavy penalties is a call to action for all stakeholders to work together to eliminate fronting activities and promote a level playing field for local businesses.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Trade and Industry’s warning of heavy penalties for fronting activities is a necessary step to protect the integrity of local industries and promote economic empowerment for Batswana. “It is imperative that all stakeholders comply with regulations and work towards a transparent and accountable business environment. By upholding the law and cracking down on illegal activities, we can ensure a fair and prosperous future for all Batswana.”
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Merck Foundation and African First Ladies mark World Health Day 2024
Merck Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany marks “World Health Day” 2024 together with Africa’s First Ladies who are also Ambassadors of MerckFoundation “More Than a Mother” Campaign through their Scholarship and Capacity Building Program. Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation emphasized, “At Merck Foundation, we mark World Health Day every single day of the year over the past 12 years, by building healthcare capacity and transforming patient care across Africa, Asia and beyond.
I am proud to share that Merck Foundation has provided over 1740 scholarships to aspiring young doctors from 52 countries, in 44 critical and underserved medical specialties such as Oncology, Diabetes, Preventative Cardiovascular Medicine, Endocrinology, Sexual and Reproductive Medicine, Acute Medicine, Respiratory Medicine, Embryology & Fertility specialty, Gastroenterology, Dermatology, Psychiatry, Emergency and Resuscitation Medicine, Critical Care, Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Neonatal Medicine, Advanced Surgical Practice, Pain Management, General Surgery, Clinical Microbiology and infectious diseases, Internal Medicine, Trauma & Orthopedics, Neurosurgery, Neurology, Cardiology, Stroke Medicine, Care of the Older Person, Family Medicine, Pediatrics and Child Health, Obesity & Weight Management, Women’s Health, Biotechnology in ART and many more”.
As per the available data, Africa has only 34.6% of the required doctors, nurses, and midwives. It is projected that by 2030, Africa would need additional 6.1 million doctors, nurses, and midwives*. “For Example, before the start of the Merck Foundation programs in 2012; there was not a single Oncologist, Fertility or Reproductive care specialists, Diabetologist, Respiratory or ICU specialist in many countries such as The Gambia, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Central African Republic, Guinea, Burundi, Niger, Chad, Ethiopia, Namibia among others. We are certainly creating historic legacy in Africa, and also beyond. Together with our partners like Africa’s First Ladies, Ministries of Health, Gender, Education and Communication, we are impacting the lives of people in the most disadvantaged communities in Africa and beyond.”, added Senator Dr. Kelej. Merck Foundation works closely with their Ambassadors, the African First Ladies and local partners such as; Ministries of Health, Education, Information & Communication, Gender, Academia, Research Institutions, Media and Art in building healthcare capacity and addressing health, social & economic challenges in developing countries and under-served communities. “I strongly believe that training healthcare providers and building professional healthcare capacity is the right strategy to improve access to equitable and quality at health care in Africa.
Therefore, I am happy to announce the Call for Applications for 2024 Scholarships for young doctors with special focus on female doctors for our online one-year diploma and two year master degree in 44 critical and underserved medical specialties, which includes both Online Diploma programs and On-Site Fellowship and clinical training programs. The applications are invited through the Office of our Ambassadors and long-term partners, The First Ladies of Africa and Ministry of Health of each country.” shared Dr . Kelej. “Our aim is to improve the overall health and wellbeing of people by building healthcare capacity across Africa, Asia and other developing countries. We are strongly committed to transforming patientcare landscape through our scholarships program”, concluded Senator Kelej.
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Interpol fugitive escapes from Botswana
John Isaak Ndovi, a Tanzanian national embroiled in controversy and pursued under a red notice by the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol), has mysteriously vanished, bypassing a scheduled bail hearing at the Extension 2 Magistrate Court in Gaborone. Previously apprehended by Botswana law enforcement at the Tlokweng border post several months earlier, his escape has ignited serious concerns.
Accused of pilfering assets worth in excess of P1 million, an amount translating to roughly 30,000 Omani Riyals, Ndovi has become a figure of paramount interest, especially to the authorities in the Sultanate of Oman, nestled in the far reaches of Asia.
The unsettling news of his disappearance surfaced following his failure to present himself at the Extension 2 Magistrate Court the preceding week. Speculation abounds that Ndovi may have sought refuge in South Africa in a bid to elude capture, prompting a widespread mobilization of law enforcement agencies to ascertain his current location.
In an official communiqué, Detective Senior Assistant Police Commissioner Selebatso Mokgosi of Interpol Gaborone disclosed Ndovi’s apprehension last September at the Tlokweng border, a capture made possible through the vigilant issuance of the Interpol red notice.
At 36, Ndovi is implicated in a case of alleged home invasion in Oman. Despite the non-existence of an extradition treaty between Botswana and Oman, Nomsa Moatswi, the Director of the Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP), emphasized that the lack of formal extradition agreements does not hinder her office’s ability to entertain extradition requests. She highlighted the adoption of international cooperation norms, advocating for collaboration through the lenses of international comity and reciprocity.
Moatswi disclosed the intensified effort by law enforcement to locate Ndovi following his no-show in court, and pointed to Botswana’s track record of extraditing two international fugitives from France and Zimbabwe in the previous year as evidence of the country’s relentless pursuit of legal integrity.
When probed about the potential implications of Ndovi’s case on Botswana’s forthcoming evaluation by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), Moatswi reserved her speculations. She acknowledged the criticality of steering clear of blacklisting, suggesting that this singular case is unlikely to feature prominently in the FATF’s assessment criteria.