The International Workers’ Day, celebrated on May 1st, 2025, served as a powerful platform for the Botswana Mine Workers Union to reinvigorate the spirit of organized labour. At the Francistown commemoration, jointly organized by the Botswana Federation of Public, Private and Parastatal Sector Union (BOFEPUSU) and the Botswana Federation of Trade Unions (BFTU), BMWU President, Comrade Joseph Tsimako, delivered a compelling address under the theme: “Workers’ Rights Are Human Rights.”
President Tsimako’s speech was a rallying cry for profound unity and strategic action within the labour movement. He forcefully articulated that the “Unity between public and private sector unions is the missing link in realizing full worker freedoms in Botswana.” This statement underscores the union’s strategic vision for a unified front, recognizing that fragmented efforts diminish the collective power of workers.
Highlighting the significance of the 2024 general elections, Comrade Tsimako characterized them as a period of “social reproduction – a new era that requires organized labour to reposition itself in the national governance space.” This emphasizes the union’s intent to actively engage with the political landscape and ensure workers’ voices are not merely heard but are instrumental in shaping national policies. He challenged the new government’s promise of a human rights-based agenda, asserting that it “must now be tested through structured and meaningful engagement with trade unions.” This calls for genuine dialogue and the establishment of permanent, legislated platforms for unions to influence laws and policies directly impacting the workforce.
President Tsimako showcased the Botswana Doctors Union (BDU) as a recent testament to “the power of principled, lawful trade union action in defense of workers’ rights,” serving as an inspiring example for the broader labour movement. However, he did not shy away from confronting persistent injustices, stressing that workers continue to face harassment, union busting, sexual abuse, and the denial of fundamental rights, and these issues “must be confronted head-on.”
Concluding his powerful address, President Tsimako declared that this moment signifies “the rebirth of organized labour in Botswana.” He charged unions with the responsibility to not only advocate but to “actively shape the national development and human rights agenda.” His resounding call, “It is us who established these institutions to protect our rights. And if they fail, we have the power to reclaim them for the people,” resonated with deep conviction. The event concluded with fervent chants of “Viva Babereki Viva!!! Halala Bomme Halala!!”, encapsulating the spirit of renewed hope and determination.
This May Day commemoration reaffirms the BMWU’s commitment to fighting for justice, equality, and dignity for all workers, positioning itself as a central player in Botswana’s journey towards a more equitable society.
