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10 September, 2005
The Botswana Federation of Trade Unions (BFTU), on behalf of ICEM affiliate Botswana Mining Workers Union, is mobilizing for a march 20 August on the offices of President Festus Mogae in the capital of Gaborone. Botswana’s labour leaders are demanding a response on a petition submitted in May in which they demand reinstatement for firedworkers at diamond-money enterprise Debswana and BCL, a copper and nickel operation in Botswana. Mogae has refused to respond to the demand.
BFTU and its 26 affiliates, along with six associations comprised of teachers and public employees, are seeking also to reform the country’s 2004 labour legislation.
At Debswana, the prosperous joint venture between the government and DeBeers which accounts for 75% of Botswana’s total gross domestic product, 461 mostly white-collar workers and technicians became the first victims of the May 2004 law when they were fired for striking in August 2004. Using its new powers, a governmental labour court deemed any strike at Debswana illegal in the days prior to the strike.