Botswana unions accuse President Boko of disrespecting labour leadership and warn against sidelining workers’ rights in investor deals.
A May Day stage meant for workers turned sharply confrontational as union leaders took aim at President Boko over his remarks and tone.
Speaking at an event organised by the Botswana Federation of Trade Unions (BFTU) and the Botswana Federation of Public Sector Unions (BOFEPUSU), BOFEPUSU secretary-general Robert Rabasimane said Boko was disrespecting trade union leadership and trying to undermine independent labour bodies.. The focus of the criticism was not only what was said, but how it was said.
The union leader pointed to Boko’s earlier comments during the same gathering, including references to Botswana’s economic inequality. Rabasimane argued that the President’s framing of the country’s challenges came across as demeaning toward labour.
Insight: This kind of public clash matters because May Day is often treated as a barometer for how governments relate to labour, not just what political figures promise during campaigns.
Rabasimane further suggested Boko was pushing unions to fall in line, which he rejected. He also characterised the President’s manner when addressing leaders as abrasive, arguing it did not match the expected dignity of the Office of the President.
He warned that the impact could extend beyond the room, saying the way Boko speaks may erode respect for the presidency itself. Rabasimane added that while campaign language may have appealed to voters, the current stance appears to move away from those earlier assurances.
In a direct message to the President, he said unions would not accept being undermined, especially on a day dedicated to honouring workers. Rabasimane stressed that unions operate as independent bodies representing workers’ interests, not as extensions of government.
Insight: The message signals that unions are positioning themselves as watchdogs, ready to resist policies or behaviours they view as weakening worker representation.
Rabasimane also raised alarms about what he described as growing government interference in union affairs, pointing to divisions within the labour movement.. He linked those concerns to suspicions around a potential breakaway federation, following moves that involved legal action and withdrawals from collective negotiations under an agreed arrangement.
Alongside the political sparring, BFTU and BOFEPUSU leaders used the platform to warn the government about investment agreements.. BFTU president Martha Molema cautioned that engaging questionable international partners could invite exploitation, arguing that some foreign interests benefit while local communities remain disadvantaged.
Insight: For Botswana, the unions’ broader warning is a reminder that economic deals are not only about jobs or growth, but about who holds power in negotiations and how workers’ rights are protected.