Professional truck drivers have threatened to ground their vehicles from June 8 2026 in protest against the newly gazetted minimum wages, demanding an upward revision of their salaries to about K557 000 monthly.
In a letter dated June 1 2026 to Ministry of Labour, Skills and Innovation Principal Secretary copied to the Secretary for Transport and Public Works, Professional Drivers Union of Malawi (Produm) deputy general secretary McDonald Chilanga said drivers reject the revised minimum wage, arguing that their concerns were ignored during the wage review process.
Their reaction follows government’s announcement of minimum monthly wage for truck drivers on international routes operating vehicles weighing 30 tonnes and above from K328 300 to K410 375 effective June 1, 2026. Local drivers saw their minimum salary rise from K234 500 to K293 125, while drivers of vehicles below 30 tonnes will now earn at least K175 875, up from K140 700.
strike. | Nation
Produm maintains that the new rates fall far short of meeting the rising cost of living.
Reads the letter in part: “We, therefore, alert your office that drivers have completely declined the minimum wage that has been announced. As such, we demand proper and meaningful consultations not later than June 5 2026.”
In an interview yesterday, Chilanga warned that drivers would proceed with a nationwide sit-in if government fails to address their concerns.
He said Produm has approximately 5 000 members operating vehicles weighing seven tonnes and above.
However, transport operators have described the union’s demands as unrealistic given the current business environment.
In an interview yesterday, Road Transport Operators Association vice-president Almateen Mussa said while transporters appreciate the economic hardships facing workers, raising salaries to K557 000 would place an unsustainable burden on many operators.
“For transporters, the K557 000 they are demanding does not make sense because we are also struggling to secure business in Malawi. If government could create a more favourable business environment and provide sufficient opportunities for transporters, then perhaps such wages could be considered,” he said.
Minister of Labour, Skills and Innovation Joel Chigona, Principal Secretary Nwazi Mnthambala and ministry spokesperson Tabbu Kitta were not immediately available for comments as their mobile lines could not be reached on several attempts.
The looming strike has revived memories of the 2024 truck drivers’ industrial action, which disrupted cargo movement in the country.
The action severely affected supply chains, with Petroleum Importers Limited and the National Oil Company of Malawi reporting that at least 600 000 litres of fuel became stranded at border posts and along major transport corridors within the first two days.
The new minimum wage order also raised monthly earnings for domestic workers from K72 800 to K83 720, commercial workers from K126 000 to K157 500, workers in micro and small enterprises from K105 000 to K131 250 and shop workers to K187 500. Employers with an annual turnover of K500 million or more are now required to pay a minimum wage of K200 000 per month, up from K150 000.
