Historical Background

Introduction

The purpose of this paper is to take its readers through the objectives of the Botswana Unified Local Government Service Association (BULGSA), after which it will lay down the structures of the Association and explain their purpose and how they interlink with each other with the aim of achieving the objectives of BULGSA. The paper will then show the role of BULGSA in the work life of a Local Authority employee in Botswana and point out that the Association, to some extent, extends its service into the general social life of a local; Authority worker.

Brief History Of BULGSA

BULGSA was established in 1974 and its first Central Executive Committee was elected in the same year at the Trade Union Centre in Gaborone. The Establishment of BULGSA was in accordance with the Unified Local Government Service (ULGS) Act of 1974 as expressed in its regulations.

At its inception, local authority workers were in agony as a result of several unsatisfactory working conditions, some of which were:

1. Provident Fund public Pension at Central Government contributed and Local Government contributed for themselves.

2. Huge disparities between them and workers in Central Government in terms of pay levels and other working conditions.

3. Lack of training

BULGSA was therefore established to fight for the welfare and rights of workers in the Local Authorities.

The Objectives Of BULGSA

The Constitution of BULGSA outlines its objectives as follows:

a) To promote, secure and encourage an efficient and competent administration in the Unified Local Government Service of Botswana and with due regard to the interest of the public in particular and the state in general;

b) To safeguard and promote the interests of its members in accordance with the established legal framework;

c) Subject to the provisions of this constitution the association shall have power to do anything and enter into any transaction which in its opinion is calculated to facilitate the purpose of any functions conferred on it by this constitution or which is conductive thereto including but not limited to the holding of property both movable and immovable and mortgaging, pledging and disposal of the same, etc.

However, the BULGSA Vision 2004 revised the above objectives. The revised objectives were presented to and adopted by the 26th BULGSA Annual General Conference held in Letlhakane in 2000 as part of the constitution amendments meant to enhance the effectiveness of the association and ensure that they suit the modern of its members.

The revised objectives are as outlined below:

 Advocate for favourable terms and conditions of employment for all its members

 Protect the individual member against any form of unfairness in the workplace

 Provide scheme geared towards empowering members financially

 Promote the establishment of recreational and any other facilities related to the well being of its members

 Promote productivity and the delivery of quality service to all communities served by members.

The objectives are multi pronged in that they intend to satisfy the needs of the member as well as attempt to address quality service delivery.

Further, the objectives also endeavour to meet the workplace, financial and social needs of the Association members.