The Malawi Congress of Trade Unions (MCTU) has made a fresh demand of a 144 percent national minimum wage increase for all workers regardless of their employment status.
The current proposal means that the national minimum wage has to be revised from K 50,000 to K 122,000 per month, while for domestic workers from K 38,000 to K 92,720.
Soon after the 44 percent devaluation of the Kwacha last month, MCTU called on government to increase the minimum wage with 44 percent so as to further cushion workers as the move caused public panic, as cost of living was likely to double.
A press statement released on Tuesday, MCTU further wants a 144 percent increment to also be applied to truck drivers’ minimum wage.
This means that truck drivers for 15 tones below, must be revised from K 60,000 to K 146, 400, for local truck drivers must be revised from K 100,000 to K 244,000 and for international truck drivers must be revised from K 140,000 to K 341,600.
“The devaluation has negatively affected the cost of living. It has further eroded people’s and workers’ incomes which were already low. Salaries or wages continue to lose buying power and majority of workers can no longer afford to meet the basic needs such as food, housing rentals, transport fares, and payment of school fees for children. The cost of living is hitting low wage earners the hardest, especially those within the lower wage bracket.
“The devaluation of the kwacha has also implications on the prices of primary food items especially maize. MCTU is deeply concerned that maize prices have now hit K50,000 per bag of 50 Kgs, which was previously at around K20,000. Maize price has increased by over 110% within the past 12 months alone. MCTU is further worried that the crisis will get worse as time pass. Workers will be on the losing side if government does not take immediate action to cushion workers.
“MCTU is giving government 14 days to take appropriate action that will cushion workers against the 44 percent devaluation of the kwacha. MCTU will take unspecified action if government does not act to cushion workers against the implications of the 44 % devaluation of the Kwacha.,” reads part of the statement signed by MCTU President Charles Kumchenga and his Secretary General Madalaitso Njolomole.
