Friday, September 29, 2023
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Contact
  • Subscribe
  • E-edition
  • Login
  • Register
  • Home
  • News
  • Economy
  • E-Edition
  • Columns
  • Companies & Markets
  • In Business With
  • Lifestyle
    • Motoring
  • Sports
    Tumisang Orebonye: Overcoming Against Adversity to Reach for the Stars

    ‘Winning The CAF Super Cup Is A Dream Come True’ – Orebonye

    BAA Needs Over P3m For World Champs

    Botswana’s Sporting Future in Jeopardy: School Sports Suspension Threatens Athletic Excellence

    No House For Tebogo Despite Astral Performance in Budapest

    “No Pressure for Tebogo at Diamond League Finals”

    BOKA Aims to Host Two Prestigious International Karate Competitions

    BOKA Aims to Host Two Prestigious International Karate Competitions

    FM Botswana 2022 conference: transformation towards a greener FM 

    StanChart CEO Underscores Role of UB Marathon in Boosting Botswana’s Sports Tourism

    No House For Tebogo Despite Astral Performance in Budapest

    No House For Tebogo Despite Astral Performance in Budapest

    Trending Tags

    • Subscribe
    No Result
    View All Result
    • Home
    • News
    • Economy
    • E-Edition
    • Columns
    • Companies & Markets
    • In Business With
    • Lifestyle
      • Motoring
    • Sports
      Tumisang Orebonye: Overcoming Against Adversity to Reach for the Stars

      ‘Winning The CAF Super Cup Is A Dream Come True’ – Orebonye

      BAA Needs Over P3m For World Champs

      Botswana’s Sporting Future in Jeopardy: School Sports Suspension Threatens Athletic Excellence

      No House For Tebogo Despite Astral Performance in Budapest

      “No Pressure for Tebogo at Diamond League Finals”

      BOKA Aims to Host Two Prestigious International Karate Competitions

      BOKA Aims to Host Two Prestigious International Karate Competitions

      FM Botswana 2022 conference: transformation towards a greener FM 

      StanChart CEO Underscores Role of UB Marathon in Boosting Botswana’s Sports Tourism

      No House For Tebogo Despite Astral Performance in Budapest

      No House For Tebogo Despite Astral Performance in Budapest

      Trending Tags

      • Subscribe
      No Result
      View All Result
      The Business Weekly & Review
      No Result
      View All Result
      Home News

      Unions throw weight behind alcohol industry

      • Unions back call to reverse alcohol ban • Call for “social dialogue” to save jobs instead • KBL case to reverse ban to be heard August 3rd

      mm by Staff Writer
      October 5, 2021
      in News
      Reading Time: 2 mins read
      0
      Unions throw weight behind alcohol industry
      Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

      Kgalagadi Breweries Limited (KBL) has received a boost from trade unions that have thrown their weight behind the call to lift the ban on alcohol in order to avoid massive job losses.

      “Botswana Federation of Trade Unions (BFTU) and Botswana Federation of Public, Private and Parastatal Sector Unions (BOFEPUSU) have been following and are gravely concerned by the continued restrictions imposed by government on the sale of liquor, more recently a total and indefinite ban, as a measure to control the COVID-19 pandemic,” the two union federations say in a joint press statement released this week.

      “While we share government’s concern for the spread of the corona virus, we sincerely hold the view that a unilateral decision by government on a matter that hinges so hugely on the national economy cannot be acceptable under any circumstances.

      “Among other reasons cited by KBL for taking the matter to court is the fact that government’s wholesale ban is improper and (is) not premised on any clear and objective evidence demonstrating a causal link between the ban on alcohol and reduction of positive COVID-19 cases.”

      The statement of the massive unions cites the results of preliminary investigations by the Institute of Labour and Employment Studies (ELES) that show that 50 000 employees and approximately 200 000 livelihoods face risks of economic hardships and starvation as a result of the ban on alcohol. “Further to this, it should be noted that KBL utilises two critical inputs in its production process, being water and electricity,” says the statement that adds that the utilities stand to lose millions in revenue if the ban is not lifted.

      They point out that COVID-19 affects all sectors of the economy, including tourism, and call on the government not to single out the alcohol industry as “the culprit in the spread of the corona virus”.

      They note that the alcohol industry is a multi-million pula and its value chain sustains many livelihoods across the country. “Our priority as a nation in the fight against coronavirus is to save human life (sic) and also save the economy against total collapse,” says the statement.

      Instead of the government’s unilateral decision to impose a ban on alcohol, BFTU and BOFEPUSU call for “social dialogue” aimed at saving the economy from collapse. “Leaders in the various economic sectors should be engaged in the course of this balancing act,” they say in their joint statement.

      The statement does not spare the reckless behaviour of consumers of alcohol who disregard COVID-19 regulations. It acknowledges that “there seems” to be a correlation between the spread of the coronavirus and consumption of alcohol because people tend to gather at drinking places like bars and other liquor outlets. “It is this behaviour that to the extent understandable gives fodder to the spread of the coronavirus,” the unions say.

      Meanwhile, hearing of the case in which Kgalagadi Breweries Limited (KBL) wants the court to reverse President Masisi’s ban on alcohol is set for August 3rd. However, government had up to the yesterday (15th) to have responded.

      KBL is represented by Minchin & Kelly law firm and has cited the Attorney General and the Director of Health Services alongside the President as respondents.

       

      Navigation

      • Home
      • News
      • Economy
      • E-Edition
      • Columns
      • Companies & Markets
      • In Business With
      • Lifestyle
        • Motoring
      • Sports
      • Subscribe

      Recent News

      • September 29th Edition
      • FUEL: The Vexing – and Recurring – Question of Security of Supply
      • Hands off Bank of Botswana, IMF Tells Govt
      • BIUST holds 8th Graduation
      • StanChart leverages on its unique position

      Site

      • About
      • Advertise
      • Privacy Policy
      • Cookie Policy
      • Contact
      • Subscribe
      • E-edition

      © 2021 The Business Weekly & Review. All Rights Reserved.

      No Result
      View All Result
      • Home
      • News
      • Economy
      • E-Edition
      • Columns
      • Companies & Markets
      • In Business With
      • Lifestyle
        • Motoring
      • Sports
      • Subscribe

      © 2021 The Business Weekly & Review. All Rights Reserved.

      Welcome Back!

      Login to your account below

      Forgotten Password? Sign Up

      Create New Account!

      Fill the forms below to register

      All fields are required. Log In

      Retrieve your password

      Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

      Log In
      This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.
      Are you sure want to unlock this post?
      Unlock left : 0
      Are you sure want to cancel subscription?