The Botswana Financial Institutions and Allied Workers Union (BOFIAWU) wishes to inform its members, stakeholders, and the public of the ongoing challenges in its engagement with Motswedi SACCOS regarding the implementation and operation of the duly registered Workplace Recognition Agreement.
BOFIAWU and Motswedi SACCOS first signed a Workplace Recognition Agreement on 1 June 2021. Following advice from the Commissioner of Labour to include additional administrative details, the Agreement was resubmitted without altering its substance. It was duly signed by both parties on 29
August 2025, stamped by the Commissioner of Labour on 18 September 2025, and a Certificate of
Registration was issued on 10 October 2025. The Agreement is therefore valid, binding, and fully
operational.
Despite this, Motswedi SACCOS, through its attorneys, has alleged that the Agreement is not in\ effect — a position that is factually incorrect and contrary to official records.
Failure to Engage in Salary Negotiations
On 13 and 23 February 2025, BOFIAWU formally requested meetings with Motswedi SACCOS to
discuss the Salary negotiations Trade Union and Employers’ Organisation Act, General Conditions of Service. These matters are negotiable by law and explicitly provided for under Section 9 of the Recognition Agreement and Section 48 of the Regrettably to this date, No salary negotiations have
taken place to date. Management accounts necessary for meaningful negotiations were not
provided. The employer indicated that only audited financial statements up to 2022 were available.
Instead of engaging directly as required by law, management suggested that the Union should
communicate through attorneys on matters that affect staff conditions of service — an unnecessary
and costly diversion from established collective bargaining processes.
BOFIAWU’s engagement of attorneys was solely for clarification and guidance after repeated indications that management lacked understanding of the process and appeared reluctant to engage the Union constructively. Unilateral Revision of Conditions of Service. While BOFIAWU was awaiting the Conditions of Service for negotiation input, Motswedi SACCOS unilaterally introduced a revised version — despite this being a negotiable matter under the collective agreement and labour law.
Furthermore (Word) version to allow tracked changes for ease of reference. the employer refused to provide an editable. Only a non-editable version was shared. Their attorneys confirmed they would not apply the revised Conditions of Service to union members but would apply them to non unionized employees — a clear “divide and rule” tactic aimed at undermining union representation.
and benefits were revised without consultation with BOFIAWU. It is deeply concerning that policies affecting salaries
Undermining Union Representation
The Recognition Agreement provides for five representatives from each party. Motswedi SACCOS initially failed to meet this requirement and later requested a reduction to two representatives, which BOFIAWU accommodated in good faith. reports that, However, the Union has since received troublingthe General Manager is allegedly enticing employees to resign from the Union byoffering revised benefits available only to non-union members. Indirect threats have allegedly been used to coerce resignations. Policies are allegedly being changed and implemented without proper Board authority, in disregard of governance procedures. These actions, if true, constitute serious interference with employees’ freedom of association.
Outstanding Policies and Governance Concerns
Despite repeated requests, BOFIAWU has not received the following policies referred to as annexures such as Code of Conduct, Disciplinary Policy, Grievance Policy, Training Policy. Remuneration Policy, In addition, employees have submitted formal grievances against the General
Manager. BOFIAWU wrote to the Board Chairperson on 2 December 2025 and received a response
on 18 December 2025. Due to factual inaccuracies in that response, the Union replied on 13 February 2026 and is currently awaiting further engagement and a meeting with the Board.
BOFIAWU’s Position
BOFIAWU remains committed toProtection of workers’ rights Lawful and constructive engagement Upholding collective bargaining principles Good faith negotiations. We categorically reject attempts to undermine the Recognition Agreement, divide employees, or bypass lawful negotiation processes. The Union calls upon Motswedi SACCOS to: Respect and operationalize the registered Recognition Agreement. Engage in immediate salary negotiations. Submit all outstanding policies for lawful consultation. Cease any conduct that interferes with employees’ right to union membership. governance practices. Commit to transparent and lawful BOFIAWU will continue to pursue all lawful avenues to ensure compliance with labour legislation and to defend the rights and dignity of its members. Botswana Financial Institutions and Allied Workers Union (BOFIAWU)
