Botswana Congress Party fights on the Doctors' corner

The Botswana Congress Party (BCP) has rebuked the Botswana Government over what it describes as a “failure to provide leadership” in the ongoing labour dispute with the Botswana Doctors Union (BDU).In a strongly-worded statement released by BCP Secretary for Labour, Cde Daisy Bathusi, the party accuses the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) Government of exacerbating the standoff through “punitive and vengeful” tactics rather than prioritising constructive dialogue.The BCP expressed deep concern that the prolonged impasse is pushing the public healthcare system to the brink of crisis.“The government’s approach borders on arrogance and abuse of power,” the statement reads.“Its persistence has the potential to plunge our public healthcare system into a crisis, posing serious risks to both healthcare professionals and the lives of patients they serve.”Central to the BCP’s critique is the government’s alleged refusal to honour Collective Labour Agreements (CLAs) and its resistance to arbitration, despite the dispute involving essential service workers.The party contends that by opting to settle matters through the courts instead of dialogue, the government is effectively undermining both industrial peace and the well-being of the nation.“This is not just a labour dispute, it’s a human rights issue,” Bathusi charged.“The UDC Government’s disposition towards Court interdicts over negotiations highlights a deep-seated unwillingness to engage in good faith with our frontline caregivers.”The BCP also condemned the government’s use of ultimatums and “boastful statements on social media,” warning that such actions only escalate tensions and echo the confrontational governance style witnessed during the infamous 2011 public sector strike.With rising fears of a potential mass exodus or dismissal of doctors from public service, the BCP warned of the devastating impact this could have on the country’s already fragile health system.“Where leadership is most needed, the UDC Government has failed,” the party lamented.The fight between BDU and the government has reached the industrial court, with the next court session expected to be held this Friday.BDU and the Directorate of Public Service Management (DPSM) face off at the Industrial Court in Gaborone this morning in a high-stakes legal battle over emergency call duty compensation.The case stems from a Rule Nisi issued by the court last week, compelling union members to resume their emergency call duties with immediate effect.The BDU is challenging the directive, arguing that it infringes on the labour rights of healthcare professionals and fails to fairly compensate them for critical services rendered outside standard working hours.The union maintains that the case could redefine the rights and obligations of healthcare workers in Botswana.“This matter goes beyond emergency calls. It touches on broader labour issues within the public health sector and could set a precedent for how emergency service policies are formulated andenforced going forward,” BDU representatives say.According to BDU President Dr Kefilwe Selema they the BDU believes that their employer is not doing things according to the law and they should be held accountable.He says their legal team is ready to present their case before the court of law, and they want the issue to be taken to arbitration, yet the government is not interested in sorting out the matter through arbitration.However, Selema said that the government does not understand what is at stake for the doctors and patients in the nation as they continue to advocate for better pay.Addressing the media recently, Minister of Health Dr. Stephen Modise, while assuring the public that the system remains operational, criticised doctors for limiting calls and said such actions breach their contracts.He stressed the importance of balancing patient and doctor rights and reaffirmed the government's commitment to Universal Health Coverage (UHC).Hospitals across the country are experiencing varied disruptions, with significant non-compliance at Nyangabgwe and challenges at several primary and district hospitals.Modise blamed the previous administration for the crisis and distanced himself from the responsibility of changing the payment structure, suggesting formal channels like the Bargaining Council for resolution.Dr. Kefilwe Selema is accusing the state of treating medical professionals "like dust bins."He decried the lack of appreciation for doctors' extended and unpaid working hours, which he said severely affect their well-being.Selema revealed that the previous administration acknowledged the inability to pay for emergency call duties, offering leave days instead.However, doctors are reportedly clocking in around 120 hours monthly, creating a backlog of unclaimed leave and mounting frustration. He insisted that the BDU’s decision to halt emergency calls was lawful and necessary.The union has now partnered with the Botswana Nurses Union to jointly advocate for healthcare reform, citing systemic neglect.Selema dismissed the Minister of Health's claims that private doctors could support public facilities, noting that many have already left due to poor working conditions.

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Botswana Congress Party fights on the Doctors' corner