THE Teachers Union of Namibia (TUN) this week hosted a recently formed union from Botswana, the Botswana Secondary School Teachers Union (Bosetu).
Like the TUN, Bosetu is an independent and non-government-affiliated teachers’ union. The leadership of the two unions signed a memorandum of understanding in the capital on Wednesday, agreeing to support one another in promoting social dialogue and harmonious labour relations in their respective countries.They will also take up the issue of migrant teachers from both countries, who, according to TUN president Gert Jansen, have until now been kept outside of bargaining agreements in the countries where they work.Botswana currently has three newly formed teachers’ unions, none of which has yet received recognition from its government, Bosetu President Eric Ditau told reporters.The union declared its belief in non-politically-affiliated unions, saying that “quite too often working people fall victim to political rhetoric”.The union claims to have a membership of 800 secondary school teachers.The group was scheduled to return to Botswana this morning.The leadership of the two unions signed a memorandum of understanding in the capital on Wednesday, agreeing to support one another in promoting social dialogue and harmonious labour relations in their respective countries.They will also take up the issue of migrant teachers from both countries, who, according to TUN president Gert Jansen, have until now been kept outside of bargaining agreements in the countries where they work.Botswana currently has three newly formed teachers’ unions, none of which has yet received recognition from its government, Bosetu President Eric Ditau told reporters.The union declared its belief in non-politically-affiliated unions, saying that “quite too often working people fall victim to political rhetoric”.The union claims to have a membership of 800 secondary school teachers.The group was scheduled to return to Botswana this morning.
Stay informed with The Namibian – your source for credible journalism. Get in-depth reporting and opinions for
only N$85 a month. Invest in journalism, invest in democracy –
Subscribe Now!