Judiciary employees down tools

Employees of the Judiciary in Malawi have downed their tools in an effort to force government to implement their condition of service approved in 2006 and 2009.

The strike has paralysed Malawi’s justice system with people not likely to access court bails or have their matters heard.

Austin Kamanga, a representative of the employees, said in an interview on Monday at the High Court premises in  Malawi’s commercial city, Blantyre,  the staff—mostly clerks, court marshalls, court reporters and other support staff— will only resume duties after their demands are met in full.

“Parliament is supposed to review our conditions of service after every three years, which they did in 2006 and 2009, but up until now, they [the conditions] have not been implemented despite the approval,” he said.

The conditions of service the staff are fighting for include salary the increment promised in 2006 and 2009.

According to Kamanga, the next sitting of Parliament is also scheduled to review the conditions of service for 2012.

A visit to the High Court premises in Blantyre showed workers who were idle. The situation is the same in the cities of Mzuzu and Lilongwe and other districts where courts are also not operational.

Malawi Law Society president John-Gift Mwankhwawa said in an interview on Monday the strike will delay delivery of justice.

He, however, said he is sympathising with the Judiciary’s members of staff and has urged government to take the issue seriously by giving the employees what is due to them.