Botswana civil servants on strike

began a 10-day strike over pay increases that shut down public services across the country.
The main civil servants’ union said more than 90 000 workers stayed off the job, forcing schools, clinics and public offices to operate on skeleton staff as workers vowed to bring services to a standstill.
The Botswana Federation of Public Sector Unions is demanding a 16 percent wage hike, after a three-year freeze on salaries blamed on the global economic crisis.
“We are going ahead with the strike because it is legal and we will continue until our demands are met,” said union spokesman Goretetse Kekgonegile.
Thousands of civil servants converged on a secondary school in the capital, Gaborone, carrying signs calling for the finance minister to resign and criticising President Ian Khama.
“Ian Khama, do not take us for granted” and ” 16 percent on the table or no work,” read some of the placards.
The economy of the diamond-rich country was shaken by the global financial downturn in 2008, which knocked resources prices and slashed demand for the gems.
Government says it cannot afford the double-digit hike and is offering a five percent increase from September 1.
“The government cannot afford what the public servants are demanding and since they have decided to stay away from work they should know that it’s no work, no pay,” acting vice president Ponatshego Kedikilwe said on state television.
Workers complain that salaries have remained the same despite rising living costs. Inflation was at 8,5 percent in March.
The workers have also threatened to shut down the country’s major border posts with South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia. – AFP