The Public Service Bargaining Council (PSBC) has scheduled its first ordinary meeting for June 22, 2026, a gathering expected to pave the way for the 2026/27 public workers’ salary negotiations. Staff Writer KEABETSWE NEWEL reports.
In an exclusive interview, PSBC Secretary Andrew Motsamai and his Deputy, Tobokani Rari, said the PSBC, government (as the employer) and trade unions are expected to agree on the rules of engagement during the meeting, paving the way for the commencement of what are traditionally complex and stressful salary negotiations.
Motsamai and Rari revealed that trade unions have already submitted proposals outlining their demands for the 2026/27 salary negotiations.
“But we await a counterproposal from the employer, and we expect to have it sometime next week,” said the two PSBC leaders.
Among the key agenda items at the June 22 meeting will be discussions on the fan-shaped salary structure, which trade unions are strongly opposing. The “fan-shaped” salary structure is a compensation model characterised by progressively wider pay ranges and larger salary increases for higher-level positions. It is at the centre of ongoing public sector reforms and union negotiations in Botswana, aimed at preventing employee stagnation and linking salary progression to performance.
The meeting will also discuss several issues affecting health workers. Botswana’s healthcare workers continue to grapple with severe operational challenges, including critical supply shortages. Healthcare personnel are working under severely compromised conditions following the nationwide collapse of the medical supply chain, leaving clinics without essential drugs, surgical gloves and theatre supplies.
Clinics are also facing a severe shortage of doctors, pharmacy personnel and specialists, resulting in extreme patient overcrowding and staff burnout. Workers must also contend with complex governance structures and budget constraints. Motsamai and Rari said these challenges will form part of the agenda during Monday’s meeting.
Admission of Unions into the PSBC
Meanwhile, Motsamai and Rari said that following their appointment as Secretary and Deputy Secretary, respectively, formal notice letters were issued on March 26, 2026, to all recognised trade unions eligible to seek admission into the Council. The notices invited applications in accordance with Clause 8 of the Constitution.
The invited trade unions included Botswana Teachers Union (BTU), Botswana Land Boards, Local Authorities and Health Workers Union (BLLAHWU), Botswana Nurses Union (BONU), Botswana Public Employees Union (BOPEU), National Amalgamated Local, Central Government and Parastatals Workers Union (NALCGPWU), Botswana Sectors of Educators Trade Union (BOSETU), Botswana Doctors Union (BDU), Botswana Government Workers Union (BOGOWU), Trainers and Allied Workers Union (TAWU), Botswana Pharmacists Union (BPU) and Botswana Veterinary Employees Union (BOVEU).
According to Motsamai and Rari, applicants were given until April 28, 2026 — a period of 28 working days — to submit completed applications. BTU, BLLAHWU, BOPEU, BOSETU and BPU submitted applications as individual entities, while BONU and BDU applied jointly.
However, BOGOWU, TAWU and NALCGPWU did not submit applications despite acknowledging receipt of the invitation and receiving several reminders.
All applications were approved except that of BPU. Motsamai and Rari said the union did not meet the required membership threshold of 4,000. Instead, they said BPU could have considered applying through the joint application arrangement.
Allocation of Seats to Trade Unions
Representation by the Employer Party and the Trade Union Parties must be allocated on a 50/50 basis in accordance with Clause 11.1 of the Constitution. Motsamai and Rari noted that the Council consists of 12 employer representatives and 12 trade union representatives, as provided for under Clause 11.2. Trade union seats are allocated using the constitutional formula under Clause 11.3, based on verified membership figures.
Based on the verified membership figures, BOPEU was allocated four seats on the Council, followed by BOSETU and BTU with three seats each. BLLAHWU was allocated one seat, while the remaining seat was allocated to the BONU/BDU coalition.
Confirmation of members of the Council
Following the allocation of seats, the Constitution requires the establishment of parties to the Bargaining Council. Motsamai and Rari said the Constitution provides that the parties to the Bargaining Council shall be government, in its capacity as employer, and all trade unions admitted to the Council.
They added that Article 10 of the Constitution requires each party to submit the names of its substantive and alternate representatives. The Council requested both the Employer Party and the Trade Union Parties to submit the names of their substantive and alternate members by May 13, 2026.
Government representatives include Department of Public Service Management (DPSM) Director Gaone Macholo, whose alternate is POC Deputy Director Tebogo Mogotsi. National Productivity Commission (NPC) Commissioner General Kabelo Ebineng is also a member, with Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Ofentse Tirinyana Boitshepo serving as alternate.
Boniface Mphethe, Secretary Development Budget, is a member, with his deputy Seabo Keorapetse Motlhatswi serving as alternate. Permanent Secretary Prof Richard Tabulawa is a member, while DPS Edward Mmoloki Raletobana is the alternate.
Acting Permanent Secretary Dr Mareko Ramotsababa is represented by DPS (HR & Admin) Lesego Maedza as an alternate. Permanent Secretary Dr Mokganedi Mokopasetso is also an employer representative, with DPS (CS) Goitsemang Tidimane serving as alternate.
Acting Permanent Secretary Tshepo Kebakile was nominated, with DPS (HR & Admin) Motusi Teddy James as alternate. Acting Permanent Secretary Pius Seone was nominated, with DPS (CS) Agnes Mothobi serving as alternate.
Another representative is Acting Permanent Secretary Abigail Khumoyame, whose alternate is DPS (CS) Atlarelang Solomon. Acting Permanent Secretary Nchidzi Mmolawa is alternated by DPS (CS) Boikhutso Botlhole, while Acting Permanent Secretary Nancy Chengeta was nominated with DPS (CS) Steve Bothasitse serving as alternate. Acting DPS Cheneso Maphorisa is also a representative, while Senior Assistant Director I Tshokolo Timothy is the alternate.
On the trade union side, BOPEU has four representatives: Martin Gaborbake, Nzhi Moalosi, Ellen Letshwiti and Joseph Kasorere.
The respective alternates are Sethunya Ruda, Onkgopotse Ntatane, Isang Mokgosi, Mimi Kgalagadi, James Poshudi, Othusitse Kgaswane, Gorata Bagopi, Charles Tsiang, Botshelo Maruatona, Godiraone Kootsane, Ogaufi Marumuloa and Thabiso Mlhauli.
The Governing Committee
According to Motsamai and Rari, Clause 25 of the PSBC Constitution provides for the establishment and appointment of a Governing Committee by the Council. They said Clause 25.2 provides that the Governing Committee shall comprise two lead persons, one representing the Employer Party and the other representing the Trade Union Parties, who shall serve as Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson of the Governing Committee, respectively. The Constitution further requires each party to nominate two representatives to serve as members of the Governing Committee. In addition, the PSBC Secretary and Deputy Secretary serve as ex-officio members and provide secretarial services without voting rights.
Gaone Macholo was nominated as Deputy Chairperson of the Governing Committee representing the Employer Party, while Martin Gabobake was nominated as Deputy Chairperson representing the Trade Union Party. Tobokani Felix Lesetedi was appointed Interim Chairperson of the Council pending the appointment of a substantive Chairperson. The PSBC also confirmed Motsamai and Rari as substantive Secretary and Deputy Secretary, respectively, on May 25, 2026, for a term of 60 months.
