The Botswana Public Employees Union (BOPEU) has strongly condemned the planned eviction of informal traders by the Gaborone City Council (GCC), warning that the move undermines social justice, gender equity, and Botswana’s international commitments to labour standards.
BOPEU has described the evictions as “a violation of human dignity, economic justice, and Botswana’s international obligations.” The union said the decision disregards resolutions made at the 13th Session of the International Labour Conference (ILC 2025), where Botswana reaffirmed its commitment to ILO Recommendation No. 204 on transitioning from the informal to the formal economy.
“Instead of protecting informal workers during this transition, the Council is punishing them,” said Sethunya Angela Ruda, BOPEU’s 2nd Deputy President for Gender and Human Rights. “These evictions, carried out without viable alternatives or inclusive consultations, amount to a direct affront to the values of inclusive development that our nation has pledged to uphold.”
Ruda emphasized that the evictions disproportionately affect women, youth, and vulnerable groups who rely on the informal sector for survival. The union stressed that removing traders from their stalls without compensation or alternatives strips women of their livelihoods and undermines family welfare.
“As a union deeply committed to gender equality, we cannot ignore how this decision disproportionately impacts women traders,” Ruda said. “Stripping them of their economic autonomy also strips their families of stability and their ability to contribute meaningfully to society.”
She argued that international labour standards demand governments adopt inclusive and participatory approaches when dealing with the informal economy. BOPEU called for “rights-based urban development” where informal traders are supported to transition into the formal economy rather than criminalized for survival strategies.
While acknowledging the authority of the courts, Ruda urged GCC to reflect on the human impact of its decision. She called for the immediate suspension of eviction operations and for authorities to engage traders and their associations in social dialogue.
“We urge the authorities to prioritize engagement with stakeholders, consider alternative solutions, and uphold the dignity of informal workers,” Ruda said.
BOPEU reaffirmed solidarity with informal traders and pledged to advocate for “fair and humane policies that uplift, rather than oppress, the working poor.”
“Let this moment be one where Botswana chooses the path of inclusive development, dignity and justice not exclusion and repression,” Ruda said.
Meanwhile, Gaborone Mayor Oarabile Motlaleng met with informal traders this week to address mounting concerns over the evictions. Speaking after the meeting, he acknowledged the critical role of the informal sector in supporting livelihoods and the city’s economy.
He, however, stressed that the Council was compelled to comply with a court directive requiring businesses operating without licenses to be removed.
“While the Council is obliged to act in accordance with the law, we remain committed to cushioning those affected and creating an environment where informal businesses can thrive within the legal framework,” Motlaleng said.
He appealed to traders for understanding and urged them not to resist the process, assuring them that GCC was working on strategies to support lawful operations. “We are willing to engage stakeholders to find sustainable solutions that protect livelihoods while upholding the law,” he added.
