The public employee unions in Botswana have called a general strike 10 days demanding an increase in salaries frozen for three years, 16%. More than 90,000 workers who have managed to collapse all public services including schools and medical centers. "We will bring the strikes to end, until our demands are met," said the spokesman for the Public Sector Union, Goreteste Kekgonegile.
"The protests could lead the country into economic collapse," said the president, Ian Khama. Botswana went into a deep recession for three years due to international crisis. "It has hurt the drop in demand for diamonds," clarified in the Government, which makes constant calls for calm and asked the protesters to reconsider.
"We can not assume that higher wages. We have offered a 5% increase from September 1. We can not give more. Directly we have no funds," said Minister of Public Administration, Mokgweetsi Masisi. "These strikes the only thing they can do is exacerbate the already difficult economic situation", is the constant message that the authorities release.
Meanwhile, hoping that the revolt could become more violent and dangerous for political stability, President Khama has ordered the police "not to act." However, the vice president announced in a television interview this morning that "we will not pay what they ask officials. They know that they do not see your work will not pay," he said in a less conciliator.
Workers, meanwhile, are deaf to calls to the negotiating table, insisting that its position is unshakable. "Inflation has risen 8.5% in March, reported," we can not keep living like this. " In fact, it seems to be an escalation in the intensity of the strikes. "We are ready to close all border crossing with South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia." 
"The protests could lead the country into economic collapse," said the president, Ian Khama. Botswana went into a deep recession for three years due to international crisis. "It has hurt the drop in demand for diamonds," clarified in the Government, which makes constant calls for calm and asked the protesters to reconsider.
"We can not assume that higher wages. We have offered a 5% increase from September 1. We can not give more. Directly we have no funds," said Minister of Public Administration, Mokgweetsi Masisi. "These strikes the only thing they can do is exacerbate the already difficult economic situation", is the constant message that the authorities release.
Meanwhile, hoping that the revolt could become more violent and dangerous for political stability, President Khama has ordered the police "not to act." However, the vice president announced in a television interview this morning that "we will not pay what they ask officials. They know that they do not see your work will not pay," he said in a less conciliator.
Workers, meanwhile, are deaf to calls to the negotiating table, insisting that its position is unshakable. "Inflation has risen 8.5% in March, reported," we can not keep living like this. " In fact, it seems to be an escalation in the intensity of the strikes. "We are ready to close all border crossing with South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia."
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