BOPEU Rejects GCC Eviction of Informal Traders, Calls for Inclusive Approach

BOPEU Rejects GCC Eviction of Informal Traders, Calls for Inclusive Approach. The Botswana Public Employees Union (BOPEU) has voiced strong opposition to the Gaborone City Council’s (GCC) move to evict informal traders, warning that the decision undermines inclusive economic development and disproportionately harms vulnerable groups.

BOPEU’s 2nd Deputy President for Gender and Human Rights, Sethunya Angela Ruda, criticised the Council’s actions, stating that instead of protecting informal workers during this transition, the authorities are “punishing them.” She argued that the lack of viable alternatives or meaningful consultations amounts to a direct contradiction of Botswana’s development values.

According to BOPEU, the evictions threaten the livelihoods of women, youth, and other vulnerable groups who depend heavily on informal trade to sustain themselves and their families. The union highlighted that women traders, in particular, are at risk of losing a critical source of income, which in turn affects household stability and welfare.

For Botswana’s entrepreneurial landscape, the dispute raises important questions about the role of the informal sector in driving economic participation. Informal trade has long been a stepping stone for many small-scale entrepreneurs, serving as an entry point into business and self-employment.

BOPEU’s rejection of the GCC’s move signals broader concerns within the labour movement about balancing urban development with social protection. Entrepreneurs and business leaders are being urged to take note of these dynamics, as the informal economy remains a vital part of Botswana’s broader commercial ecosystem.