Ex-MYP stage demo to demand terminal benefits: Give Malawi govt 5-day ultimutum

Former members of the Malawi Young Pioneer  (MYP) on Monday staged a  demonstration in Lilongwe to persuade government  to pay them the  terminal benefits after the disbandment of the para-military group in 1994.

The government owes the 2 765 ex-MYPs about K1.6 billion following the disbandment of the group.

Chairperson of the ex-MYP members Franco Chilemba said the ex-employees  have waited enough for their compensation for the unlawful dismissals and held demonstrations to ask government pay them their terminal benefits.

“Government official promised us after our meeting  in May this year, that the money would be paid out after three weeks. But up to now we have not received anything,” he said.

Chilemba said the Minister of Finance promised them that their dues would be paid after the budget is passed.

He said they are giving government up to Friday to pay them or they will continue with the demonstrations.

Chilemba  said they will camp at the heart of government business- Capital Hill and outside Office of the President and Cabinet in particular.

Former MYP members claim were illegally dismissed some 18 years ago by the first democratic administration of Bakili Muluzi under the United Democratic Front (UDF).

The Malawi Young Pioneers was dissolved in 1994 by the Muluzi administration which understood the grouping as more of an instrument for oppression than a tool for development agenda.

Thousands of its ex-officers are scattered across the country while some managed to find employment many of them have remained jobless up to date.