Debswana Wage Talks Still at a Snail Pace

Talks between Debswana and union representatives ended, once again, without much progress. The sides met this week after striking workers returned to work Monday, but were unable to achieve any real progress in their annual wage negotiations started back in March.

While the union is insisting on Debswana reinstating the 440 workers that were fired for joining the illegal strike, the company is insisting on first wrapping up wage negotiations.

Employee Relations Manager Jacob Sesinyi says that the company is insisting on not mixing the two issues because they are two separate issues. First, he says, the workers have to except the wage offer of 10 percent pay raise and 10 percent on off bonus and only before discussing anything else.

The union feels that since the firing is related to the wage negotiations, this is the time to discuss it.

The sides are scheduled to meet again Friday morning with the expressed hope of signing an agreement.