Drivers reject government request to call off strike: Grounds 1 000 trucks

1. MDF Leave the truck drivers alone, they are exercising their freedom
   This is when you know now that everybody is important…….

2. Malawi army, what’s wrong with you?
   Let the drivers exercise their freedom……

3. Don’t] bring the fertilizer transportation so the drivers should look bad in the public eye. Sort out their problems. How can someone pay another Malawian MK30000 per month. That is slavery. These drivers blocked and delayed me on the Kasungu Mzuzu road but it was worth it because somebody somewhere is not doing his work

4. now I see. . most trucks owned by politicians. too bad.

5. Mukufunaso chiyani zigubu mumachotsa zingati aaaa ma driver mudziyamika.

6. Much as I sympathize with my brothers/sisters in the truck driving business and their right to demonstrate as they are now doing. A few issues needed to be brought to the fore otherwise all Malawians we are going to feel the pinch of their action shortly. Being a landlocked country largely dependent on road transport-the economy is going to collapse shortly. When it does we all collapse with it. You have virtually blocked all the trucks local and foreign meaning that there is no inflow of fuel which is a key driver to our economic activity. No fertilizer and other important imports coming into Malawi yet we depend on imports to sustain our economy what will be the result? Industries shutting down as they will not export their finished products and import the much needed spare parts and raw materials not available in Malawi. Jobs of the few Malawians employed at risk and more joblessness. The list of untold misery and suffering increasing each passing day of the strike. Our rail system which was supposed to be the second cheapest from water transportation is on the death bed killed long time during Muluzi era. Cry my beloved Malawi. Truck drivers, truck owners and Malawi government as a mediator please come to a quick and amicable understanding of this crisis it has a killer effect on all of us.

   1. Let us suffer Let the economy suffer Let the fertilizer and many other law materials get blocked. That is the price you pay for enslaving others for selfish gains. Driver squiz the vampires until they give you the right wage.

   2. the government should start using the rail system. no more trucks.

7. As an owner, just to reharsh what I said earlier for others who may be interested to know, some of the challenges faced by owners. Before joining the industry, I had the same perception as many others who think that truck owners have a comfortable life financially. I jumped on board as a result of emotions, without doing a proper research. If I had done a proper research before starting, I would not have invested in trucks. Trucking is one of the most challenging businesses. In over 12 years, I have been running the business, I have seen hundreds of transporters going burst, some just abandoning after trying for few months. Most of you have probably seen hundreds of trucks parked in garages and kumipanda without business. I am not surprised at all. Trucks are a difficult business. Let me go straight to some of the challenges faced by truck owners:

   1 – As I pointed out in my earlier post, trucking business is dominated by the big players, like the Rashys, GPY, Ninkawa, Petroda, Loadmasters, Mulli etc. The smaller players like myself find it difficult to have steady loads / cargo to sustain a business. One thing which is obvious, which people have to be questioning is that, there are thousands of trucks which are sitting idle in garages and ku mipanda due to lack of business. Some trucks sit for months or years without carrying any load. Business yake njophangirana.

   2 – Maintenance of trucks is one of the most stressful aspects of the business. Spare parts are imported. The taxes on spare parts are high and hence the total cost of parts is too high. A fuel pump for some of the trucks cost in excess of K600,000. Synchros for gearbox cost over a K1,000,000 if you have to replace a few parts in the gear box. A good brand of tyre cost in excess of K280,000. A standard truck needs 22 tyres. These tyres may last to just over a year from new. Do the Maths

   3 – One other major problem as of now is the Malawi government. The government has been promoting the policy of awarding contracts to foreign companies thereby depriving Malawian transporters of business. Look at the number of foreign tankers on Malawi roads from Tanzania, Mozambique etc. Foreigners carry more fuel than Malawians. In Tanzania the ratio is like 80 to 20, meaning for every 8 Tanzanian trucks carrying fuel there is 2 Malawian trucks. The ratio is much less. In reality, the ratio can be like 20 Tanzanian trucks to 1 Malawian truck. This is just pathetic and does not make sense at all. By doing this, the government is taking away jobs and better salaries from Malawian truckers and drivers. If the government can give Malawians greater percentage of fuel transported, I can guarantee the drivers will be getting better pay.

   4 – Drivers are themselves one big problem. As I have said, majority of drivers are just very dishonest. Don’t start me on this. I have employed too many drivers and I know how they work and what they do. I know some of their tricks and I have caught so many of them in their tracks doing dishonest things. As a truck owner, I have always tried to be fair with the drivers, listening to their concerns and responding to them accordingly. However, once the driver feel that you are nice to them, amakulowa koopsa. They become so dishonest. Don’t get me wrong. There are some very few good ones who are very honest. But Believe me such good drivers are very rare. I can even put a ratio; which is very disappointing. Kuba mafuta is the main problem. Matola, kunyamula katundu wosaloledzedwa. Ena amagulitsa matayala. Kusinthitsa ma tayala

   5 – The banks’ interest rates are just too high. It takes years to pay off the loans on trucks. A majority of Malawi trucks are bought used. This in turn adds to the cost of maintenance and hence paying off the loan becomes too difficult. Used trucks are a big risk.

   6 – The roads in Malawi and some countries like Mozambique are just the worst thing out there which is shortening the lives of trucks. The potholes are just one killer thing. This problem is not for truckers only but many other road users.

   7 – Business in Malawi is seasonal. Between November and April, there is just very little to nothing business wise. This is well known fact.

   Considering the above points, I have to say not many trucking businesses in Malawi can afford 300,000 to pay a driver. Businesses would run to ground.

   So summarise, what I have put here is to share real information from someone who has been in business for relatively longer, which may be of interest to others. My intention is not to discredit the drivers strike regarding salaries, but to provide some reality on the ground. Of course, I don’t pay my drivers that little (K50,000). My 10 tonne lorry drivers get much more than that. My 35 tonne drivers get even more than that. The striking drivers have the right to demonstrate. It is their right. In my case, I ask my drivers to come directly to me if they have concerns, Because its is private matter between a private employer (myself) and the driver. The government does not own a truck and cannot impose salaries on a contract, which the government in not party to. I am honest with my drivers and if the business is doing well, yes I respond positively. If not, I request to address the issues at a later date.

   1. Well said. Here is someone talking from a position of knowledge. Emotions must not take centre stage. Yes workers need a good remuneration but must be performance related. Most of the houses in Lunzu are owned by these 50000 per month truck drivers. Their life style does not match their 50000/ month salary. So how do they manage. I will tell you. By stealing from the very same owner they are demanding 300000k. They carry goods and see all the documentation and suddenly become fundis in transport management. What trash. Its their legal right to strike so is it my right as a road user to travel without hindrance.

   2. Excellent piece of advice! Well done!!!

   3. Well elaborated. Taphunzilako

   4. thank you sir.
      well noted and agreed

   5. You see the answer to most problems you have mentioned here is with you the small businesses. You see those those Nsundwe guys fighting for their rights you call them all sorts of names. Have you ever thought of blocking our roads to foreign trucks carrying goods from Malawi. No you are too smart for that but expect the drivers carry the burden. Well the drivers will not carry your burden anymore. Pay them proper wages or quit

8. These guys they know that most of these vehicles belong to these corrupt politicians of our nation. The people running the government do this transportation business with an aim of milking our taxes and the drivers are aware of this.It would be good and easy to use rail way transport so that we the citizens of this country can afford cheaper goods across. So there is no need for us to sympathize with these thieves and crooks from the top to toe of the government hiracky.Let these drivers punish them in that way until they have been paid back their dues including arrears from 2014when dpp started stilling our taxes nonsense.

9. tHIS IS PLAN B . BUT THESE DRIVERS ARE RISKING. THEIR QUALIFICATIONS ARE VERY POOR AND THEY GO ON STRIKE. WE HAVE MORE MALAWIANS TRAINED AS DRIVERS WHAT IF THEY GET RECRUITED. . PLEASE DONT WASTE OUR TIME. . WHO HAS TOLD YOU DRIVERS TO DO THID. THESE PEOPLE DONT LOVE YOUR COUNTRY. CONTINUE WITH YOUR ACTS BUT WE ARE DESTROYING OUR OWN COUNTRY

10. SO THIS IS THE WAY OF CLOSING BOARDERS. WHO EMPLOYED THESE DRIVERS. IS IT THE GOVERNMENT. I THINK SOMEONE IS BEHIND THIS. LETS WAIT AND SEE

11. But my question is nyumba zonsezi mukumanga inu ma truck driver ndalama zake mumazitenga kuti with this low salary? Financial intelligence unit shud come in mwina ingatiuze zoona.

12. imagine malawi opanda political hatred……..what is the cause

13. Kanyamuleni fuel, fertilizer ndi katundu winayo pa sitima basi

14. You are indeed confused.

15. PLEASE I ‘M CONFUNSED. Pamene amafunsila ntchito kwa ma Kampani boma linaliko, kapena adasaina nawo Employment Contract? Why blocking the road for innocent people to enjoy their lives. What is the difference with the Msundwe boys now answering court charges. A Malawi pena tiziganiza. Uku kuli ngati kumenyedwa ku Bar ndiye kumakamenya Mkazi kunyumba. THIS HAS NO RELEVANCE WHAT IS HAPPENING. GO and pack the trucks at the front office of the owners. GoM will not increase your salaries. Your UNION should be intelligent enough to negotiate with the employers. This is really Shit!!!!

    1. You must really be confused and you better go for brain surgery. Why is it then that government held and is to hold talks with these other stakeholders?

       1. The government is only mediating otherwise this is a private contractual agreement between truck owners and drivers..The goverent does not employ truck owners..Gule thooo mutu..

       2. Which school did you go to? Read at your smart friend down here

    2. GO AND PUSH THEM WTH YOUR LITTLE WHEEL BARROW – A LITTLE KNOWLEDGE IS HAZARDOUS!!

16. Yes with this DPP govt strike shud continue so that u solve their problems with urgency. Mpaka K35,000 per month salary ndiye mwanotu umenewu ngati ndi ma house cleaners?

17. Kodi abakha amenewa bwanji.Ndiyovomerezeka staka imeneyii.Bwinotu bwino kuluza ntchito kkk.MK300,000 pamwezi mwayesa chani ??Nde bwanayo azilandila zingati and zichoka kuti ndalamazo ?????kkkk Masewera eti kkkMK300,000 zoona .Ine bwana wakukampani akundipatsa MK150,000 driver nde MK300,000 komaaaaaa,Malawi yomweyi kkkk

18. Who doesn’t know that this is just plan B of the failed Airport and Border closure demos by HRDC? The objective is the same meaning the planners are the same: To cripple Government operations, block fuel and other supplies into your own country. Shame.

    1. koma anthu ndiye mumaopadi anyamata athuwa amtambo kkkkkk,Bwanji mukuganiza ngati mbewa???

    2. You are right

19. Well its bad that drivers are being mistread abused and used but that is the way of life in Malawi everybody is under paid in fact we are the list paid guys in SADC, the list developed nation in SADC and we are good at one thing manufacturing of babies. We have a government that does not value its citizen.

    1. They have a right to seek other employment opportunities somewhere. This is unskilled labour category fire them and tomorrow you will have thousands asking for that job.

    2. Igwe usandiseketse we are just good at manufacturing babies😂😂😂😂😂

    3. List?????

20. God is watching from a distance refusing to be drawn into our situation.

21. Kuyendetsa galomoto komweko mpaka k300000…osaisiya bwanji

    1. What i can see is that very few will benefit as many will be laid off after the strike. Kuzunzitsa mabanja chifukwa cha Timothy, Chakwera ndi Chilima. Koma chomwe ndidziwa lucifer sanawinepo, ndipo sadzawina nkhondo against ana a Mulungu.

22. 500, 000 mwati? Kuposa a PS? Mwandikumbusa nyimbo ya Alfazema ija amati…. Maphunziro ndiye tsogoloKunyozela tizingolila. Zosatheka okumba Msewu kulandila ndalama kuposa bwana. Ogwira magobo ndalama imachepa.. Ine pano bank teller nde Ogwira magobo mu bank koma kusunga ma Million yanga 200 000.

23. Truck drivers holding government and Malawi,s economy at ransom. this is punishing every Malawian if fertilizer,fuel does not reach in time. Truck drivers are showing intolerance and this is not acceptable. Dialogue is the way to go

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