MHRC workers declare strike
State funded Malawi Human Rights Commission (MHRC) workers have threatened to stage a protest against the secrecy surrounding revised terms and conditions of service, Nation on Sunday has gathered.
The draft conditions of service were submitted to the Department of Human Resources Management and Development (DHRMD) recently without the workers’ input and perusal.
According to sources, about 50 employees, mainly of middle and lower ranks, and calling themselves Concerned Members of Staff have been pushing the commission to provide them with copies of the conditions but to no avail.
The workers, who suspect the working conditions have been designed to benefit top officials, engaged MHRC management at their head office in Lilongwe on Friday and demanded that copies be circulated to them before close of business on that day.
“The meeting raised the following: Concerned members wanted to have a copy of the Consolidated Terms and Conditions of Service which were sent to DHMRD before approval of full commission by end of business today [May 12 2023].
“Further the meeting requested management to consult members of staff as they are the beneficiaries of the document and also let them access the finalised content of the document.”
The minutes show that management committed to circulate the revised conditions of service as per the workers’ demand.
The minutes further read: “Concerned Members of Staff were assured that the copy of the consolidated terms and conditions of service will be shared today, May 12 2023 in order for the members to familiarise and appreciate its contents.”
But in a sudden twist, MHRC management did not circulate the conditions documentation. Instead, it circulated an internal memo communicating that management had received the memo stipulating the workers grievances.
In addition, the letter which we have seen announced that it will hold a management meeting on Tuesday and an engagement with the concerned workers later in the day.
“Reference is made to your internal memo dated May 11 2022 which was submitted to the human resources office on May 12 2023. Further reference is made to the meeting that was held in the boardroom this morning upon your request.”
Meanwhile, MHRC executive secretary Habiba Osman yesterday said she was not aware of the developments.
“This is news to me. I have to wait till Monday to see if there is anything delivered to my office as you know we have HR office. HR has not shared anything either,” she said in a response to our questionnaire.
