FRANCISTOWN: As the Botswana Unified Revenue Services (BURS) strike enters its second week, striking employees have said they intend to petition the District Commissioners (DC) of different districts countrywide.
This comes in the wake of a deadlock between the employees union, Botswana Public Employees Union (BOPEU), and BURS recently in negotiations for salary increment. The union proposed 11 percent increment and BURS is steadfast on six percent, an offer vehemently rejected by the union, ultimately leading to 700 BURS employees who are members of BOPEU engaging in a strike in protest.
However, as the strike enters its second week, BOPEU Shop steward for Francistown region, Anthony Rebakgosi told the NorthCast that they intend to petition the Francistown DC this week in an effort to pile pressure on BURS leadership to listen to their woes. “This week we will mobilize all our striking members to descend in Francistown and hand a petition to the DC. We have already drafted the petition,” said Rebakgosi.
The strike is reported to have paralysed services at the country’s main borders compelling Government to deploy police officers to stop illicit substances from entering the country.