Airtel Malawi in crisis, mass exodus of workers over Indian boss abuse
There is deep managerial crisis at Airtel Malawi which has exposed abuse of Malawian workers by Indian boss leading to mass exodus of employees who cannot take it anymore, Nyasa Times can reveal.
So far about 42 employees have left the company in the past four months which include senior executives namely Rachel Mijiga who was Director of Enterprise Business, Paul Kachika and Chifundo Kumpukwe.
Insiders said Malawian managing director Charles Kamoto, despite getting around US$25,000 (Approximately K18 million) per month is not helping matter as he cannot fight for fellow Malawian workers who are mostly verbally abused by Indian bosses.
Airtel Malawi is owned by an Indian businessman.
“There is just blatant abuse of workers here at Airtel Malawi, people are working for 18 hours a day and are expected to be back in the office at 8.30am the following day. On top of that the Indians, especially the Finance director Indradip verbally abuses Malawian workers,” said Nyasa Times source at Airtel Malawi.
The sources said salaries for shop employees were drastically reduced from K180,000 per month to K65,000 after comparing salaries of till operators at Chipiku stores.
“When the other managing director Heiko Schlittke came he made sure these shop workers get decent pay and the lowest paid was around K200,000 because he understood that we are offering a technological service. But the sad thing is that it is our own Malawian Human resources director under the instruction from the Indian Finance Director who went to compare salaries of till operators at Chipiku and drastically reduced the salaries to K65,000, this is not fair,” narrated the source.
“Kamoto and fellow Malawian bosses are not doing anything, they cannot defend fellow Malawian workers because they are getting heft salaries and as long as their issues are ok, they do not care about anyone else,” added the source.
Nyasa Times can also reveal that clerks, without even basic knowledge of computers are being brought from India and accommodated at Riverside Hotel with K300,000 salaries, yet these are some of the jobs that Malawians can ably do.
On the management side of things, some workers are not impressed with the capabilities of Kamoto as he is said to be a passive leader who cannot make any decision on his own.
“He will wait for others to make decisions on his behalf, he can’t make his own decision and he can’t even stand up to the abuses that Malawian workers are going through.”
“This is why there is a mass exodus of employees including senior people, this should tell you something about his managerial skills,” said the source.
Airtel Malawi is also said to be hoodwinking people in its corporate social responsibility (CSR) events.
“They are allocating about K200,000 per CSR event to hoodwink people that they are contributing more. This is just small change, this company makes billions of Malawi kwacha in profits and it is unfair to allocate K200,000 to each CSR event,” said the source.
Airtel management could not immedietlycomment on the allegations.
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You think this is bad? Check with Illovo. Malawians are in deep shit and South Africans are using the Malawian weapon in the name of Katanduka to terrorise fellow Malawians.
Indians are known for their dislike for any black colour and yet they are in Africa in millions milking our potential resources.The problem is that these glasshoppers start by controlling government leaders through bribery and some offer their wives to our government leaders,it is not a joke but,it is what the Mwenes do not only in Malawi,but in many parts of Africa.For instance,in South Africa,ex-President Zuma colluded with an Indian family Gupta and endedup to go with morethan SAR25million while people in Soweto are still dwelling in houses which were built in the 18th century.Our leaders have been completely subdued by the Mwenyes and Arabs`and in turn,the workers are treated like slaves.When it comes to the Mwenyes especially,the working conditions are by far worse,it is not false when our workers are complaining about the treatment metedout to them by their bosses.I have worked in MWENYES institutions and I have gone through these hardships.Indeed,if we had patriotic bosses in these companies,our workers could have the audacity to fight for their rights.So the problems that we are facing to-day,is due to our leaders’ corrupt minds.For instance,in MCP it is an Arab by the name of S.MIA who controls the Party and its leader Chakwera,what do you want else?
Wouldn’t call this mass exodus; people just moving on to pursue better things. Yes there may be problems at the company, just like any other workplace, but let’s not sensationalize issues. After all we haven’t had the opportunity to hear management’s side of the story. Not all Indians are bad people.
What does the MASS EXODUS mean from your understanding because it seems you know much better than others?
The working environment plays a huge role in returning talent.Some of the people mentioned in this article,the likes of Rachel and Chifundo,they are super performers,they know how to deliver the numbers and i dont think their leaving is because the indians perceive us Malawians being lazy,non-innovative or non-performers but its just one individual who decides to mistreat other colleagues .I hear kuti another Employee left last year after the same finance director threw papers in his face.
The Ministry of Home Affairs are at fault by just issuing Temporary employment permits. Send back all the Indian clerks and don’t renew the contract of the Director of Finance. Malawi has adequate accountants to do the same job, at lower price but even better.
Airtel – ZERO for customer service
This is everywhere in Africa and R.Mandava is the one behind this! they think that other people are stupid and they don’t value employees at all! they fire people, everythin is centralized… and the performance is very bad. This is the case in Rwanda and Tanzania. It seems that Barthi Mittai is not followin up what is happenin! Airtel HR manaement in Africa is the worst in the world.
I have worked at Airtel before. From my experience, I noticed that because of cultural differences, sometimes Indians bosses might be perceived as ‘harsh’ – therefore in Malawi context: “Racist”. I think we should not rush to use such terms. I have witnessed Indians bosses treat their Indian juniors more ‘harshly’ than Malawians.
Also, it is important to note that as a private company, Airtel is target oriented; and this encourages bosses to push for results. Life in the private sector is tough. Its not like government. If you don’t perform, you lose your job and the company loses revenue. IN PRIVATE SECTOR YOU PUSH TO GET THINGS DONE!!
Example of cultural differences: an Indian will shake his head from left to right when agreeing with you, while a Malawian will shake his head up and down. And Indians like speak as if they are shouting at you. Such minor things might cause misunderstanding sometimes.
The salary disparity frightening! Is this the same Malawi?
Spot on. We just need to get our game to the standards of any global organisation. Our work ethics leaves much to be desired. our service culture stinks to say the least.
JUST SINK THE COMPANY. FINISH! AS FOR ME, I HAVE MOVED ON, I NO LONGER HOLD AN AIRTEL SIMCARD!
This problem is not at airtel only many Malawian are suffering in silent in their home country yet we have a president.These people knows our weakness that we don’t talk or react that why the can do whatever they want. This issue is similar to what was reported at FMB last year**** Dzuka Malawi Dzuka
Reduce your services for this SHUPITI Indians company to go down
Airtel alone in India made a estimated profit of $4.3 Billion by its head company Bharti Airtel. Will take a whole presidential terms national budget.
Malawi is just a spawn a small package of the deal involving Zain it’s just there for the sake of saying hey we are operating in so and so countries.
These big boys are too ahead .
This company from celtel to Zain and now Airtel has been going for double the amount every time it’s been sold.
For the big boys this Is just another get richer scheme the countries they operate in are like a hired car that they are basically buying to hire out once they make the profits worth how much they put in and recover it they simply sell it for double the price.
“Not shupidi after ollo “
Who are Airtel shareholders? These are the downside of foreign investors who do not respect local laws or culture. However, I would also encourage Malawi employees to improve their work ethics and culture to align with global standards. Most Malawians will not survive working in the US or UK. We have a lot of educated and skilled locals who just don’t cut it. They are lazy, lack innovation, not customer-centric and just downright uncaring. We need to up our game and build our own mobile phone businesses that can compete head to head with the best in the world. If we Malawians were applying themselves to the best of their abilities, they wuldn’t have been any need to employ foreigners (at least not as many).
I agree with you 100%. When Malawians are given such an opportunities they sink the business to the ground instead of thinking of the bigger picture…and aiming high and being the best… and thinking of the future of the country and what their country will contribute to its economical growth.. We fail ourselves and it’s sad
A bit of dictatorship will probably wake us up
You must be very stupid idiot and I believe u are an Indian who are destroying this country
On the contrary. 100% Malawian with a bit
of exposure on work ethic in other countries and also I know how to argue a point without calling other people stupid etc. That being said, can you give an example of a company previously run by foreigners then handed over to Malawians that is a success?
The solution is simple. Lock the office and kill them. Why are you people so meek? You allow an Indian to oppress you in your own country? Tge other problem is that there is simply no government in this country. What you have a parasites feeding off Indians hence they can’t protect you. Kill them kill them they will respect you.
Ingotsekani Airtel kutsale ya chimalawi TNM basi
Everywhere in the world except in Malawi governments protect its citizens!! Koma kwathu kuno, matchonawa amangoona ngati akadali kunja ndipo ndi ntchito ya ena kuteteza mbadwaaaaaaaaaaaaa!! Chimene amadziwa iwo ndi kuba basi kumakanga manyumba chikhalilecho angotsala madzi………………………………………………………………………! Lets wait and see what Mr Ibu and his estate will do next!
Why doesn’t the government get involved and get rid of these idiots? I know they are busy with their own affairs (stealing), but that’s one of their responsibilities to make sure right policies and safeguards are in place to protect workers. I think we need the likes of Chilima to come in and sort out things.
Chilima will not solve all our problems if individually we don’t start taking the positive action we seek in our homes/ work places/ neighborhood/cities / towns/hospitals/schools etc..and for your information Saulos is friends with Amwenye osati masewera and don’t expect zomwe zikuchitikazi to change once he becomes (if he becomes) president..amakonda oiled hands naye..let’s enforce right laws let’s lift one another as citizens..let’s work hard each and every day..let’s kill the things we do every day that is ruining this country and let’s be a brother’s keeper.
Malawians wake up. We are not able just walk into jobs in other countries courtesy of our poor malawian tag despite our abilities. we have to go through numerous hurdles just to get permission to even just visit. Others walk in and out of malawi, exploiting and abusing along the way. Form unions (strength in numbers), get political backing, fight for your rights learn from what others do to keep the locals empowered.
the system in MW too corrupt boss unions are weak…………….. the problem at Airtel is these fucken cunt indians like indradip abuser, he needs an ass kicking for real……….. fat muthfucker……….
Indians or Asians are hard working people anywhere in the world. Malawians are generally lazy so I can understand the frustrations these Indians face. Now, the same Indians go unchecked at Malawi airports and only fellow Malawians are targeted. Shame!
You are lying. Malawians are also hard working
Chisomo
I agree. Malawi Congress of Trade Unions shud work hand in hand with govt to ensure local jobs are protected. Be strong like Cosatu in South Africa
the problem is the government, they dont act when such things are hapeninng, just immagin munthu azilandila 50000 apanga nayo chani patown very paiful, please boma help us
It’s very sad that a company people worked hard to grow is sinking like this. Bring back the likes of Charles Zouzoua, Francis Bisika, Davie Huwa, Bonface Ndawala to put the company back on track. During the time of these people the company’s growth indicators were all 3 digit. Zain Malawi was even crowned operation of the year in 2008.
indradip is an asshole – he needs to be deported the fuck out of malawi…………..
our lawyers, pse get into this and investigate. these indians need to be punished accordingly
Apparently, there are many jobs available, or other business opportunities, in this country if one really wants one and looks around. Because most of those 42 who quit did not just pack up and go back to the homestead, and start or restart subsistence farming.
Why then the negativity, on the internet, about the Malawi economy going to the dogs, under the DPP? Fake news eti?
Iwe OMachemba seruioly that’s why you are still poor Pali za dpp apa
Idi Amin Dada was not mad, Indians begin to number your days. You still have time to correct the situation if you still want to live in Malawi.
Wow, Salary mpakana K18M. Kuphunzira ndi kwabwino. But He should fight for the juniors. I did not know that some companies offer good perks. Advertise for more jobs. we will apply
Thats the difference between Malawi and other southern african countries, I have been working outside Malawi for some years but we don’t see such abuse. Locals gets better treatment from these indians.Imagine, instead of uniting and fight for our rights we opt quitting the job. We should be aware that among the most abusive society in plannet earth is Indian. Unfortunately, I haven’t seen commitment from the state regarding labour policies, no single party that outline labour policy during campaign and even if they have its just blueprint policies that once they get into power nothing happens. My fellow Malawians particularly educated ones we must know that these foreign nationals need us because we have everything. iam saying so with the reason that if there countries are better why migrate to african countries? We encourage our youth to go to school but we don’t do anything regarding labour policy, and iam not sure if the state has labour inspectors. Don’t vote for a party or Mp that has or say nothing regarding labour policies, thus the only way we can fight.
Pay cuts, abuse, disparities in pay, racism……it’s all there at airtel. I wouldn’t really blame Kamoto because the Indians have come with backing from the CEO of Africa. They actually report to that CEO and not Kamoto.
The Human resources Director has remedies for such situations at his disposal. Engage the Labour office. Simple! Not all Indians are bad, but the current breed running Airtel Malawi and Africa need to learn the ethos of doing business in a different culture and respect that culture.
Legally it’s not allowed to reduce someone’s salary; how did that happen?
Only in Malawi
Can lawyers assist these workers get their original salaries
They sent old stuff packing by terminating their contracts and advertised for the posts through their recruitment agent (Workforce). The new stuff were offered very low salaries because they new the old stuff could not allow that. Airtel Is simply a disgrace!!!
Its not only Airtel there are many companies that are owned by foreigners who pay hefty salaries for white people, indians and the likes of no qualifications while malawians receive peanuts.Please ministry of labour help us.Its too much.
Ministry of Labour please stop sleeping on the job and investigate these issues
these people(bosses) are so selfish ,try to work with airtel and u shall agree with me.
u mean bosses or Indians? to hell with Indians abusing Malawians… be bold Malawians .. tell them this is jim and this is jack
These Indians are taking Malawi’s for granted
The ministry of Labour to consider this issue .Why employing expatriates for the same job that a fellow malawian can do.Please consider this matter of fact