Malawi govt warns it will start witholding salary for striking court workers

Government has warned it will startto withhold wages of striking judiciary support staff across the country they dont return to work.

Judiciary support staff downed tools mid July demanding for house allowances and also harmonisation of teir conditions of service with those of judicial officers.

The nationwide sit-in has crippled the judicial services across in the country.

The striking judicial support staff include court clerks, court marshals, drivers, interpreters and court reporters.

Last week, Secretary to  Treasury Ben Botolo, told the striking judicial support staff that government has no obligation to make the claimed payments, noting that any form of settlement in relation to the claim is unacceptable.

And in a latest statement, Chief Secretary to the Government, Lloyd Muhara, apart describing the strike as illegal, said the demand for housing allowances is not supported by the law as it is not provided for in the conditions of service.

He has since ordered the judiciary support staff to return to work immediately, failing which government will withhold their wages.

Muhara further said it is illegal for support staff of the judiciary to block judicial premises and obstruct access to the courts.

“Government is therefore directing the support staff of the  Judiciary to return to work immediately. Should the support staff refuse to comply with this directive, Government shall lock them out except for those willing to return to work unconditionally.

“Government shall also withhold wages from all those members of staff that will continue with the said illegal industrial action and take such further action within the law as would be available to any employer,” reads the statement  seen by Nyasa Times p.

The statement further is further directing the support staff to remove any obstructions placed by them and to allow access to the premises for those not on strike as well as the general public requiring judicial services.

There was no immediate reaction from the spokesperson of the support staff, Andy Hariwa.

On Friday, law enforcers chased the support staff away fro  the High Court premises across country.

Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV :

Sharing is caring!