GABORONE, May 2 (Xinhua) -- Workers in Botswana had been used to working the normal 8-5 shifts and they would expect from their respective employers a pay rise and better working conditions.

But that was until the COVID-19 pandemic struck this southern African country, known as a major producer of diamonds.

Like other countries across the globe, Botswana implemented lockdowns and workers were stuck at home, as a precautionary measure to curb the spread and transmission of the global pandemic.

These COVID-19 lockdowns imposed a negative impact on businesses, the youth, rural development and economic growth at large, as Botswana's economy shrank by 8.3 percent in 2020 due to deteriorated diamond sales.

"This important (Labor) Day will not be characterized by celebrations but sentiments," said President Mokgweetsi Masisi of Botswana in a statement he made on the occasion of the commemoration of the International Labor Day on Saturday.

Since the outbreak of COVID-19, he said, it has become evident that the deadly disease is much more than a health crisis given the severe economic shocks, disruptions and suffering it has caused in its wake throughout the world.

Masisi said Botswana, like other countries across the globe, has not been spared from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Some of the notable effects of the pandemic are salary cuts, closure of businesses, forced and unpaid leave as well as unilateral variation of contracts of employment," said Masisi.

According to the International Labor Organization (ILO), an estimated 114 million jobs were lost worldwide in 2020, translating to a global labor income decline of 8.3 percent, which amounted to 3.7 trillion U.S. dollars.

Gaebepe Molaodi, the deputy president of the Botswana Federation of Trade Unions (BFTU), said many workers find themselves living in constant fear of losing their jobs due to the pandemic.

"COVID-19 is in reality an indicator of the worst that can become of an actual situation for many workers. Most workers are no longer certain of their job security," said Molaodi when delivering the 2021 Labor Day speech during an occasion held virtually on Saturday.

Johannes Tshukudu, the president of Botswana Federation of Public Sector Unions, said in his May Day statement that some potential employees are now resorting to informal employment like vending.

Tshukudu pleaded with the government to implement social security policies in order to cushion those who have lost their jobs. Enditem

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