Business came to a standstill in Limbe, a business hub in Malawi’s commercial city of Blantyre on Monday after shop assistants went berserk and forcibly closed shops demanding better wages from their employers.
The workers are demanding K18 600 (about $46.50) as effected by some shop owners in Lilongwe in May this year.
Minister of Labour Eunice Makangala earlier pledged that government would review the minimum wage of less than K8 300 (about $20) that most workers were getting in Lilongwe.
Representatives of Limbe shop owners were not readily available for official comment, but some businesses complained of harassment and looting.
A similar strike in Lilongwe cost businesses about K70 million (about $175 000) in two days when shops were similarly closed.
The shop assistants targeted shops owned by Malawians of Asian origin and foreigners such as Chinese whom they accused of depriving workers of decent wages despite making “hefty” profits from their businesses.
They chanted: “Ndalama ndiwanu, dziko ndiwathu” as they moved from one shop to another ambushing shop owners and forcing them to close shops.
Shop assistants The Nation spoke to complained of receiving wages as low as K6 000 (about $15) per month.
Queried one of the protesters: “We work for eight hours, six days in a week and yet receive as low as K6 000 after a month. That is a mockery. How do you expect us to work diligently amid the rising cost of living?”
The shop assistants closed one shop after another, shoving customers and onlookers. They have vowed to fight on until their demands are met.
Other shop owners complained of looting. They were visibly shocked when they were ambushed to close their shops instantly.
“Much as they might have genuine concerns, we implore them to be civilised. They harassed our customers. Some had an intention of looting. How can we solve their problems when they are violent in their approach to issues?” asked a shop owner.
In May, Makangala announced that government would meet the Employers Association of Malawi (Ecam) and the Malawi Congress of Trade Union (MCTU) leaders to adjust upward the current minimum wage of K317 (about 79 cents) per day or K8 242 (about $20) a month.
Among several issues, the Lilongwe shop and domestic workers were demanding an increment of 200 percent for those receiving less than K10 000 (about $25) per month, and 150 percent for those getting K10 000 and more.
