This year, the union is introducing a new format for its Annual Conference, aiming to enhance engagement and discourse. The official opening ceremony is scheduled from 7:30am until around noon.
In the afternoon, a round table symposium will feature critical stakeholders discussing vital national concerns. Key figures from various sectors have been invited to address essential issues.
The Director of the Directorate of Public Service Management (DPSM) will discuss the collective bargaining agreement between public sector unions and DPSM, along with general service conditions.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education and Skills Development will explore teachers' roles in realising a knowledge-based economy and their service conditions.
The Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Labour and Home Affairs will cover trade union rights within the context of Conventions 87 and 98. Additionally, the Ministry of Youth, Gender, Sports, and Culture's representative will speak about diversifying the economy through sports, arts, and culture, focusing on the future of school sports and its implications for teachers.
Further addressing critical matters are the CEO of the Botswana Public Officers Pension Fund, discussing Retirement Funds Act reforms and their effects on member benefits, and the Registrar of the Botswana Teaching Professionals Council, examining the council's mandate and its influence on teachers and the profession. Tobokani Rari, the secretary-general of BOSETU, emphasised the union's commitment to rejuvenating conferences by fostering excitement, innovation, dynamism, and relevance.
This setup encourages social dialogue on pressing national topics, cultivating discussions that impact both workers and the public. The live broadcast of the conference and symposium on Duma FM extends the conversation to the public, enhancing democratic engagement and reinforcing social dialogue within the country. This initiative underscores BOSETU's dedication to strengthening democracy through active participation and constructive discourse.
