Judiciary staff give Malawi govt 21 days ultimatum: ‘Increase housing allowance or else we shut down courts’

Judiciary support staff have given the government up to 21 days to increase housing allowance or else face a strike that will palaryse the dispensing of justice.

Judiciary spokesperson Mlenga Mvula confirmed another strike is looming at the Judiciary.

This comes barely a month after the government averted another strike by magistrates over the same issue of housing allowances.

Mvula said after the Judiciary Support Staff Union has delivered its letter to Judiciary, they will deliver it to the Judicial Service Commission which in turn will inform Treasury.

“What is happening now is that the Judicial Service Commission will inform Treasury which will make a final decision on the issue,” Mvula said.

Union members say they were surprised that the government only increased housing allowances for judges and magistrates yet conditions of service say support staff allowances should automatically be revised as soon as the allowances of the judges and magistrates are adjusted.

Treasury officials are yet to comment on the matter.