Botswana health workers back at work
2011-04-27 18:47
Gaborone - Botswana doctors, nurses and other essential workers who last week joined an ongoing public service strike returned to work on Wednesday in obedience to a court order.
The government had sought the order from the industrial court, saying the unions had breached an agreement that essential services would continue to be provided and performed.
Judge Tebogo Maruping cited the fact that 50 doctors at the country's biggest public hospital had joined the strike and the closure of 27 clinics across the country.
Government lawyer Parks Tafa said patients were stranded, clinical waste remained uncollected, and there were no cooks to prepare food.
Civil servants have been on strike since April 18 demanding a 16% salary increase but the government said it has no money and can only afford five percent.
About 93 000 workers have joined the strike, according to their union, forcing schools, clinics and public offices to operate on skeleton staff.
Botswana, whose economy is heavily reliant on diamonds, was hard hit by the global economic crisis as demand for its gems plunged and revenues from a regional customs union also dived.
The economy shrank by 4.9% in 2009 but bounced back with 7.2% growth in 2010.
Trade unions are asking ruling Botswana Democratic Party chair Daniel Kwelagobe to intercede with President Ian Khama, who has flatly rejected their demands on the grounds that hefty raises could reverse the economic recovery.
Last year Kwelagobe successfully mediated and aborted a strike over salary arrears owed to employees by the government.