Civil servants have said they expect that during the forthcoming Mid-Year Budget Review, government will implement a 10 percent salary increase agreed upon earlier this year.
Talks between the Government Negotiating Team (GNT), Civil Servants Trade Union (CSTU) and Teachers Union of Malawi (TUM) on February 27 culminated in a 20 percent salary increase, effected on April 1 2025 but with mutual understanding that there would be an extra 10 percent.
The three parties signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for salaries to be reviewed again during the Mid-Year Budget Review.
negotiating team. | Nation
In separate responses yesterday, CSTU and TUM secretaries general Titha Gomani and Charles Kumchenga, respectively, said they expect government to honour the MoU.
Gomani said despite a change of government, they sent reminders to the GNT that come the budget review meeting of Parliament, government should implement what was agreed.
She said: “We are yet to meet the GNT leadership because there is a change of government and some changes in officers in the negotiating team.
“But what we know is that an MoU was signed and it said salaries will be increased by 10 percent to make it 30 percent.”
Kumchenga echoed Gomani’s sentiments, saying this is the right time that they expect government to implement the remaining percentage.
He said having signed the MoU with the previous government, they are yet to meet the GNT under the new administration.
GNT chairperson Charles Kalemba, who was part of the previous negotiations, could not confirm whether the 10 percent salary increase is still on the cards.
He said following the change of government, the Office of the President and Cabinet (OPC) and Treasury were better-placed to respond.
Treasury spokesperson Williams Banda said in a written response yesterday that government is aware of the economic challenges facing the nation and will engage the civil servants on the matter.
He said: “Government appreciates the current macroeconomic challenges and the fiscal challenges and we will review and engage accordingly with the negotiating team.”
During the previous salary review talks, it was agreed that civil servants will get a 20 percent salary increase.
Initially, civil servants had demanded a 44 percent salary increase and 200 percent hike in special and transport allowances.
