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Power outages costing firms K2 million per week

The energy crisis rocking the country is having a huge effect on job creation as some firms are forced to spend over K2 million per week on fuel and mantenace of generators, instead of investing in production to create more jobs, the Employers Consultative Association of Malawi (Ecam) has said.

Ecam said over 30 companies have so far written the Ministry of Labour to seek approval to lay off workers.

Ecam executive director Beyani Munthali writing in the institutions April Newsflash, said the development speaks volumes of the current situation.

“This is a national [crisis] and Ecam is ready to come to a dialogue table in order for government to provide a roadmap that is understandable, one that protects the jobs that we currently have and other that does not preclude enterprise growth with a view to increase employment.

“Therefore, all parties must find sustainable short-term measures to minimise the negative impact while government puts resources towards improving the [energy] situation in the long-term,” he said.

In an earlier interview, the Malawi Confederation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (MCCCI) president Prince Kapondamgaga said businesses are not satisfied with the approach government is taking in handling the energy crisis and the policies put in place to address it.

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