Parliament intervenes in teachers’ strike principle
As the strike by teachers demanding Covid-19 risk allowances enters its third week, Parliament has summoned concerned stakeholders to a meeting this morning to discuss and find lasting solutions to the impasse.
Teachers Union of Malawi (TUM) is demanding a monthly allowance beginning March 8 2021 for six months.
But government has argued that teachers are not a high-risk group; hence, not deserving of the Covid-19 risk allowance.
In a statement on Saturday, Parliamentary Committee on Education, Science and Technology chairperson Brainax Aziz Kaise said his committee is expected to mediate between government and TUM.
It reads: “I write to inform you that the Joint Parliamentary Committee comprising Education, Science and Technology, and Social and Community Affairs, would like to engage the Presidential Task Force on Covid-19, Ministry of Education and
“….Teachers Union of Malawi on Monday 8th March, 2021 at 9am at Parliament Building to mediate wrangles between the Ministry of Education and teachers that has resulted in a strike by teachers in public schools.”
TUM president Willie Malimba, who signed a consent with government ending the strike, but later changed his position, arguing he was only ambushed to sign the document, confirmed today’s meeting in an interview.
He said: “The strike continues, but on Monday we will go to the meeting and see how it goes. We are happy because during this meeting, many stakeholders will be around, so we will have to address all issues.
“For us, our stand remains that teachers want risk allowances, we are at risk and have to be considered. How are we considered to be in the first group to receive vaccines yet we are told that we are not at high risk of contracting Covid-19.”
However, Ministry of Education Principal Secretary for Administration KisswellDakamau said they never forced Malimba to sign the documents.
He said the whole TUM executive of 16 members attended the meetings, suggesting that Malimba is reversing his decision because of pressure from members.
“How would we force him to sign a document? He was in the meeting for three days and you say we forced him? For us, this issue is concluded.
“If there are issues, let them follow proper procedures. They write us and we will see how best to resolve the issues. If we fail, then they provide days as stipulated in labour laws to declare withdrawal of labour,” advised Dakamau.
In the agreement statement Malimba, Dakamau and Chief Labour Commissioner Hlalerwayo Kelvin Nyangulu indicated government’s appreciation of the challenges that teachers face and that schools belong to medium exposure risk occupations.
“It is, therefore, advised that teachers should not handle Covid-19 positive patients, medical, postmortem or laboratory procedures related to Covid-19. These should immediately be referred to health authorities.
“Having discussed all these issues as above, TUM agreed that the ongoing industrial strike is called off and that all teachers will resume work on Thursday, March 4 2021,” reads the agreement.
On his part, educationist LimbaniNsapato said the Education Cluster on Covid-19 already recommended the allowances; hence, TUM was not to blame for demanding the same.
“The least that can be done is to include the risk allowance in the 2021/22 Budget and pay teachers arrears after the budget is passed. This can solve the impasse,” he suggested.
But government said if it were to pay the risk allowance to teachers, it would need an extra K4 billion per month or K40 billion for the 10-month covering the school calendar up to December, according to a document compiled by Ministry of Education. There are about 103 003 teachers in public schools nationwide.
