Malawi magistrates threaten strike: CSTU censure Goodall for saying civil servants should not demand pay hike

Magistrates  across the country are expected to go on strike on February 8 should government fail to give them house allowances and arrears.

Association of Magistrates in Malawi spokesperson Patrick Mwamela said parliament approved the house allowance money in 2014 but the government is not giving them the money.

“Most of magistrates live in rented houses, far away from their duty of station therefore we need the money,” said Mwamela.

However, ministry of finance spokesperson Alfred Kutengule refused to comment on the matter, saying the government has not yet received a letter from the magistrates on the matter.

Government approved the 22 percent salary hike for Judges and Magistrates across the country in May 2015 after a three months long strike by Judicially staff.

Meanwhile, the Civil Service Trade Union has condemned Finance Minister Goodall Gondwe for suggesting civil servants should not demand pay hike.

Gondwe said civil service job is a calling therefore all those who want hefty pay should leave the civil service and join the private sector.

However, Civil Service Trade Union secretary general Madalitso Njolomole says the government needs to find money to increase the salaries of those working in government in view of economic turmoil the country is going through.

“We will not be talking to the honourable minister on this, we will be engaging the government negotiating team which the minister of Civil Service, His Excellency the president set up as a bridge between us and the government,” he said.

He said as much as the civil servants appreciate their job is a calling, they need not to live below the poverty line.