A Member of Parliament for Ngami, Caterpillar Kainangura Hikuama has urged the labour movements to be the voice of the voiceless, the vulnerable, the exploited, and the oppressed whether they are their members or not. Hikuama is the Chairman of the Parliamentary oversight of labour and home affairs.
“At times, some labour movements only speak for their own workers. But labour movements should rise above that. Labour movements should become the voice of the voiceless- all the sections of the society that are vulnerable and voiceless should have a voice in you. That is when you can become fully-fledged labour movements. Because as labour movements, you are against exploitation and oppression of the people and striving for the betterment of the people.” Hikuama advised.
Speaking at the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Botswana Federation of Public, Private & Parastatal Sector Union (BOFEPUSU) and Botswana Federation of Trade Unions (BFTU) yesterday, Hikuama said that labour federations are important in the lives of the people and also for the government especially a democratic setup because it presents the interests of the workers, not only workers, but the honorable groups of the society.
Hikuama says that this MoU is an important milestone as it is paving a way for bigger things to happen in the labor movement of the country. He says it is a first step towards the formation of a confederation of works of this country. Hikuama said that is only through unity that the labour movements can speak with one voice and actually being heard. He also encouraged federations towards the formation of the bargaining council.
“I think we need a legally constituted entity which unites these federations. Which will have its own name and its own brand. I see that when I look into the future. Workers need a legally constituted bargaining council which would be able to have a stronger and a firmer voice. We need a structure that is protected by the law” he asserted.
He also warned labour movements against sycophancy. Hikuama says leaders should not like being worshipped, because if they do, they too will worship someone and that will pollute decision making. “What I see gaining popularity in Botswana nowadays is politics of sycophancy and patronage, which is derailing us because people don’t guide leaders against bad behavior and corruption.”
In addition, Hikuama encouraged movements to embrace politics but avoid aligning to political parties because they might turn a labour desk for certain political organizations, then compromise representation.
Hikuama is also a former trade unionist and a teacher by profession.
