Employers and workers have expressed concern about the high costs of goods and continuing shortage of foreign exchange, stating that they are threatening the creation of jobs and impacting on the welfare of workers.
Malawi Congress of Trade Union (MCTU) president Charles Kumchenga and Employers Consultative Association of Malawi (Ecam) president Anne Chavula expressed their concerns yesterday at Balaka Stadium during International Labour Day commemoration.
President Lazarus Chakwera, Minister of Labour Peter Dimba and International Labour Organisation (ILO) country director for Malawi, Mozambique and Zambia Wellington Chibebe graced the event.
In his remarks, Kumchenga said government should intervene on the rise in cost of goods which he said is caused by shortage of foreign exchange.
He said: “The cost of living has gone up significantly due to the continued rise in prices of essential commodities. As it stands, the current wage is far from meeting the basic needs of an average worker.
“We would like your government’s action so that the prices should not skyrocket to levels that many workers cannot afford.”
The MCTU president further lamented that companies are not compensating injured workers or remitting pensions to pension fund managers despite making deductions from their employees’ salaries.
Kumchenga, however, commended the government for conducting labour inspections, stating that they have forced some employees to address issues such as abuse and exploitation of employees.
On her part, Chavula said efforts to create decent work are being undermined by economic challenges such as lack of foreign exchange and rise in prices of goods.
She called for continued collaboration to overcome the economic challenges to create decent work and inclusive wealth for Malawians in line with the Malawi 2063 vision.
Chavula further urged the government to expedite the implementation of workers’ compensation fund, mainstreaming of the national child labour policy and ratification of 190 Convention.
In June 2019, the ILO adopted Convention 190 which recognises the right of everyone to a world of work free from violence and harassment, including gender-based violence.
Speaking earlier, Chibebe commended the government of Malawi for undertaking analysis of law and practice which provided information in ascertaining that the country may be ready for the ratification of Convention 190.
He said: “It is our hope that Malawi, as it goes towards ratification of Convention 190, will support the code in text and practice and that the daily work and lives of workers will be improved.”
However, in his speech, the President blamed the high cost of goods on the “greed” of traders who have been raising prices without proper justification.
He said recent price increases are hurting workers and undermining the government’s efforts to improve their welfare through increases in minimum wage.
Said Chakwera: “The government is now engaging the traders and some have even started reducing their prices. In light of this, my government will revise the minimum wage to boost workers’ disposable income.”
The President further said the Ministry of Labour will intensify inspections of companies after the September 16 2025 General Election to eliminate exploitation and abuse of workers in the workplace.
Speaking earlier, Dimba, who was appointed Minister of Labour in February this year, spledged that his ministry will continue to provide the necessary leadership to ensure that the goal to create decent jobs is given a new breath of life.
This year’s International Labour Day was commemorated under the theme ‘Democracy that Works for Decent Work for All’.
The celebrations started with a solidarity march from Chingeni Roadblock through Mponda Primary School where President Chakwera joined the march up to Balaka Stadium.
During the event, the President launched the code of conduct on violence and harassment in the world of work.
He also presented the 2024 Labour Laws Compliance Award to Castel Malawi Limited while the Quality Productivity and Innovations Award went to Malawi Liverpool Wellcome Programme and Standard Bank plc received the Best Employer Award.
