Goodall defends pay hike for Malawi President
Malawi Finance Minister Goodall Gondwe has defended the controversial salary increase of President Peter Mutharika and his deputy Saulos Chilima, saying they were justified as part of salary harmonisation policy of government .
Gondwe told a news conference on Sunday that the pay hike was not proposed by the Democratic Progressive Party led government but was carried forward from the previous Peoples Party administration.
“When we were taking over the government in May this year , there was already a proposal on the same for the elected leaders, we just implemented the proposals,” he said
Gondwe said government was still carrying on salary harmonisation and that pay packages will be reviewed to be in line with the policy .
The Finance Minister said while the new salary structure for the presidency has been put forward, the Head of State and vice president have deferred the pay rise for themselves.
The 80-percent increase for the President had drawn criticism with the rights campaigners calling it “insesitive” and “inappropriate”.
Gondwe collaborated what chief secretary to the government, George Mkondiwa, said on Saturday that while the proposed salary increase may be justified, President Mutharika and VP Chilima decided to forego the increase “in solidarity with Malawians who are presently undergoing very tough economic hardship.”
In the new salary structure announced on Saturday, Mutharika, who came to power after defeating Joyce Banda in May elections, was to be paid $5,263 (2.7 million kwachas) a month. He will now revert to his old salary of 1.5 million kwachas.
His deputy Saulos Chilima, who was to be paid 1.8 million kwachas, reverts to his old salary of 1.0 million.
Information Minister Kondwani Nankhumwa said the new salaries were “in line with the budget” which was passed by parliament last September.
The budget includes a deficit of $205 million after Western donors suspended aid worth $150 million.
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Stupid government. Peter pls pack your stuff and go back to NDATA-ni. You are acomplete vote of no confidence. Va alomwe vodya mphenembe machende anu.
Finance minister,please don’t hesitate to adjust all the salary structures in the civil service.it is not something to negotiate with as the truth was known way back in parliament where all the MPs asked for pay rise and it was passed.so please we are all in Malawi and facing the price rise in on form.dont try to make your job difficult my dear uncle.adjustment of salaries with the current living cost will also help you to collect the collect revenue from tax payers.don’t allow people to suffocate our lovely DPP led government.we have great respect,expectations from this government.please pay attention… Read more »
These pipo wakonyofu fiyo……….why not increase salaries for other civil servants as well……
MUZAFA INFA YOWAWA
Mr Goodall ulendo uno zakukanikani. mwati mwasata zomwe pp idakonza zowonjezera malipiro zimenezo sizowona ai. Mwakonza nokha koma poti zalakwika mufuna muwanamizire amai.
we just need to go on the streets as we did with Bingu because iwowa sakuva kuwawa pakuti they do not pay taxes
Tikuonanitu
Dada Gondwe these increments can not be defended.
An error was made and you need to correct it.
Mwabanthu ndimwe wakusaambira imwe na President winu and so you cant be making such silly mistakes
EEEEEEHH look…! THERE IS ALWAYS A REASON WHY THERE IS RETIREMENT AGE.. NO MATTER HOW GD OR INTELLIGENT ONE WAS, WHEN DEMENTIA AND AGE CREEPS IN, RATIONALE THINKING AND ANALYSIS ALSO FADES…. u r forgiven dada G…. Much as I respect you dada Gondwe but I think at your age, the ministry and the economic mess in which the government is in , is too much for you.. this is time for u to be at home and relax dada not be stressed unnecessarily with public issues like these….what else do you want? money u have.. house u hv.. u… Read more »
A GOODALL YOU MEAN THE PROPOSAL BY THE PREVIOUS GOVT CAN NOT BE DECLINED ON BASIS OF CURRENT WORSE ECONOMIC SITUATION IN MALAWI. YOU PLUS YOUR PRESIDENT APM PLUS DPP EXECUTIVE HAVE FAILED MALAWIANS AGAIN . YOU SHOULD STEP DOWN OR BE FORCED TO DO SO.
The minister is too Old to think. He should be Home playing with grand children.