Malawi Judiciary staff rejects 22% pay rise

Support staff who recently went on strike over poor salary increment have rejected 22% salary increment offer from government.

This comes as the judiciary went back to work to give dialogue a chance and let justice delivery get back to normal after a prolonged strike.

The strike paralyzed operations of the courts in the country as government remained reluctant to yield to workers demand due to salary harmonisation drive.

Judiciary Spokesperson Mlenga Mvula said in an interview that talks are on-going and that government offered workers 22% which has been rejected.

Mvula said workers feel that the 22% offer from government is too little as per their expectations.

“For one to be satisfied it has to be a reasonable percentage which can take you through thick and thin in the current economic situation.

“That is why we say we are not satisfied with 22% government offer”, said Mvula.

He described the 22% offer as being on the lower side compared to what workers are asking between 60% and 70% as an increment.

He however said government officials said with the prevailing economic hardships government cannot afford the demanded percentage.

“We told government point blank that we expect a reasonable offer at least 50% or 40% it would be much better” said Mvula.

He added that government’s offer is not tallying with the current economic hardships and that workers are not ready to accept it.

“So we said let us give government ample time to look at the offer critically with a sober mind as well so that when we will be having another meeting government should be ready to resolve it amicably”, he added.

In his speech at Sanjika palace during the swearing in ceremony of Supreme Court of appeal justice Anthony Kamanga, President Peter Mutharika said his government is willing to amicably resolve the judiciary salary increment issue.