Universal Industries staff strike over low pay

Universal Industries employees strike at Ginnery Corner in Blantyre entered second day to force management at the company raise salaries in the wake of high cost of living in the city.

The workers started to stage a sit-in on Monday.

The workers blocked the three gates of the company’s headquarters with stones and tree branches in protest of management’s decision not to increase their salaries.

One of the striking employees, who opted for anonymity said, they want their salaries to be raised from as low as K13 000 to about K53 000.

But group chief executive officer Kaushik Pillalamard on Monday described the sit-in as illegal, arguing workers did not follow labour procedures. He said they only met employees representatives on Saturday.

“Our main focus is on market development and having their salaries increased is not our priority at this point in time.

“Currently, we are working with the Office of the President to have minimum wage increased at least to two US dollars a day as compared to 80 cents which is being used. Wage increase is off the table at now.

“Our employees are our assets and we do not want to lose anybody, but they have to be patient until such a time when we will generate enough funds,” said Pillalamard.

Efforts to talk to employees’ representatives proved futile.