Chikwawa District Council staff demand pay hike, seal offices
Chikwawa District Council members of staff Wednesday sealed district council offices demanding the immediate transfer of the Chief Accountant and the Director of Finance (DoF).
The members of staff have sealed the entrance that leads to the offices of the Chief Accountant Ellen Mwale, the Director of Finance Frank Saidi and the Integrated Financial Management Information System (IFMIS) office.
According to one concerned employee (name withheld); their salaries have not been revised since 2013, they have not been paid for three months and they are ill treated by the accountant and director.
“We have reached to this extent because we need an immediate transfer of the said officers because they are making our lives unbearable. We don’t know anything about leave grants because no one has received such. At the same time, we are tired of negotiating with these people whenever we want to get our monthly salaries,” said one officer.
She said the officers turn down every financial request they make and as staff they are aware that the district has enough money to give them.
“The offices will remain closed up until the revised salaries are ready. We don’t want to see anyone working here and we will not entertain it,” added another employee.
According to an inside source, Chikwawa District Council direct employees get a gross pay of between MK44,000 to MK69, 000 a month and after deductions they go home with money amounting between MK37,000 to MK55,000.
Commenting on the matter, Chikwawa District Commissioner (DC), Bester Mandere, said he has invited the Council Chairperson to discuss and iron out the matter.
Chikwawa District Council has 75 direct employees.
