Escom, workers agree on pay hike

Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi (Escom) management and the Escom Staff Union (ESU) have settled for an undisclosed series of salary increments for workers of the power utility company, The Nation has learnt.

In a written response, University of Malawi professor of law Garton Kamchedzera, who was the appointed conciliator, confirmed that on February 8 2024, both parties resolved the dispute through conciliation.

He disclosed that the increment, which will be implemented at intervals, seeks to shield workers against the economic hardship, saying the adjustment has taken into consideration current salaries in other public institutions.

The law professor said after further consultation, the two sides on February 13 2024 affirmed their agreement by signing a settlement agreement, which he is also signatory to.

Kamchedzera indicated that both parties are committed to implementing the agreement together.

He said: “There is an agreed staggered set of increments and an agreed roadmap for working to effect them. The factors taken into account for the settlement are cushionability against economic shocks for employees, comparatorship with similar public organisations, and affordability.”

He, however, fell short of disclosing actual figures of the deal, saying the details may be in the public sphere only when and as the terms are implemented.

“As the specific details will affect individual contracts between Escom and individual employees, the parties agreed to respect the private contracts of individual employees and reserve the opportunity to receive advice from the board,” said Kamchedzera.

In a separate interview, ESU secretary general William Mnyamula also confirmed that a deal has been struck, saying they are satisfied with the agreement but, he too, reserved the details.

In Escom public relations manager Kitty Chingota asked for more time to consult but said she would still not be able to reveal details of the deal since they were contractual matters.

On December 7 2023, Escom employees took to the streets in Blantyre, Lilongwe and Mzuzu cities to express their displeasure with a 10 percent salary increment offer, citing the 44 percent kwacha devaluation.