Malawi MPs get ‘inappropriate’ pay rise, to swim in opulence with monthly allowance doubled to K2.2m
Despite coronavirus wreaking havoc on the Malawi economy and depressed revenue, Members of Parliament (MPs) have handed themselves an inflation-busting a huge increases in salaries and allowance, bringing their salary bill to almost K3.4 billion in the current fiscal year from K2.4 billion in the 2019 /20 fiscal year.
Even in the wake of 2020/21 national budget having an overall fiscal balance deficit of K651.5 billion – which is 9.1 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) -,allowances or MPs have also increased to K5 billion from K2.2 billion in the previous fiscal year.
It means now each legislator will get an extra K1.1 million in allowances per month.
The increase was discussed at Parliamentary Service Commission which unanimously agreed that legislators pay be increased from K862 4000 in basic salary to K948 640 00, allowances for housing which were at K200 000, K400 000 on constituency allowance and K250 000 for motor vehicle maintenance have also increased.
They were also getting K150 000 as hospitality allowance and K150 000 for utility bills. The allowances totalled K1 151 860 per month but with the K1.1 million add on, the allowances have now moved to K2.2 million a month.
Parliament spokesman Ian Mwenye could not immediately comment on the matter.
But commentators who spoke to Nyasa Times noted that that the increase is outlandish, inappropriate and has to be reversed as 193 people from one arm of government – the legislature – will be swimming in opulence at the expenses of impoverished Malawians, majority who are languishing in abject poverty.
Economics lecturer at the Polytechnic, a constituent college of the University of Malawi Betchani Tchereni said the pay rise is ‘inappropriate’ while unemployment is rising.
He said, “it’s a privilege in many ways to serve the country.”
Centre for Financial Inclusion and Literacy Consultancy executive director Abel Mwenibanda said government must exercise “restraint” in pay awards’ at a time when many Malawians are facing economic uncertainty.
He said this would sends the “wrong message” and highlights the economic divide in the country.
President Lazarus Chakwera is yet to put his seal of approval on the pay hike and it will be seen if he will allow the pay rise that MPs should be prospering themselves amid the huge economic uncertainties affecting many Malawians.
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Malawi MPs are inconsiderate, They are selfish
Pankhani yodzikwedzera malipiro nde sikumakhala kusutsana, onse amamvana chimodzi, politicans u r criminals
Under the wise leadership of MR Chakwera. Kodi uja wama reform uja alikuti?
Chakwera and Chilima are not parliamentarians. You are accusing wrong people
Politicians will always be politicians. They are in it not for their alleged unconditional love for the poor people but for the rich pickings, full stop!
Very unfortunate decision…and ill timed…First Big test for President …this goes against his Servant Leadership philosophy….
Once the President approves this awkward increment, I will completely loose my trust in him and come next polling day will vote for DPP coz this is day light robbery to poor Malawians.
Uku ndiye kutiyesa a malawi angoyerekeza kuvomereza izi paja ku msewu ndiye kudya kwathu tikakumana konko. Mtambo ali kuti mesa he said he joined frontline politics in order to serve malawi better let him critise this otherwise he
Perfect strategy to create 1 million jobs!
I remember growing up as a child my parents used to feed us their children first whenever food was not enough to around. They paid our school fees before buying clothes for themselves. If chakwera allows these greedy MPs to continue with their rotten behaviour of ignoring poor people’s cries, he better start packing too. He will have failed to father poor Malawians. Malawi is not for MPs. Give help to the poor first.
Tonse alliance check! You have to trade carefully. This phenominal of play wrong moves has to stop, you are sitting on time ticking bomb ready to self destruct. Malawians are watching, getting more furious with time and one day they will act BOOM!!
To run a country it’s not a joke ,I see litle or no change ,what I see is systematic ang grave looting of tax payers money. Oh my country I cry you I wish to be in my country but governments of my country chase me away.
Even the so called Pastor and work mate they dont like Malawi the want to wipe what was left
What a pity thing.
Dont approve this Mr. President, it is an insult to Malawians
I am very furious at this news and if Chakwera and his Government are to continue living this lie and betrayal, Malawi is full of thieves, including Chakwera, Chilima and their Tonse Governments. If you are to pay 2.2 million to an MP on top of the many benefits/perks that they enjoy. Can you justify why a salary of a career professional Civil Servant like a Doctor, Nurse, Engineer, Social Worker should be adjusted by a margin of 10% to 20%. What does an MP professionally contribute other than sitting in the house and shouting? Mulungu andikhulukile ndikanatukwanapo pano
kawafunseni anankhumwa kut bwanji sanalankhulepo za ma MP zi
stupid and blind MCP fanatic. learn to be objective about issues. This is simply unacceptable
The agony of casting a vote…..hmmm Malawi owala, tsogolo labwino, la Tonse.
What about teachers, nurses, the police etc? The more reason we should go on strike!!!!!
This is a form of bribe to the Tonse Project to make sure that MPs are on their side. Aprt from these MP demand allowances when they visit places or organisation
Foseki
This is very unfair to pay Mp that amount of money when in Malawi the minimum wage is the shit Mk35, 000 only.
People join politics to get rich.
Yet the taste of introduction K100,000.00 tax-free band for civil servants has just been like that of a bitter pill. It’s a ridicule. The next general elections will certainly look into this contempt. The clock is tick-tocking fast. God will certainly serve MALAWI from this inferno.
I honestly believe what people told me before chakwera’s administration got into government. People said nothing is going to change it will just be a bunch of new people doing the same thing. Well now I believe it. All the promises that were made have all been thrown out the window. Interns have been working for government for more than 2 years now and working actually more than the officers themselves with hopes that they will be employed only to be told that nope. They’ll have to pack and go come July. Dr. Chakwera I’m sorry I had hope and believed you’d fulfill all the promises you made. You have failed me my good sir. You should have been able to speak out against these real issues but your slienece says alot. I’m very sad. I hope you see this.
Izinso ndiye phada lenileni.Kuononga ndalama kumeneku ndiye zimene timakana dzana koma inunso wayamba zomwe omapanga anzanu aja.Sikuona kusiyana pakati pa boma lapitala ndi izi zikuonekazi.Ayi pakuti akakhala pa mkhate sapheka nanga ao omatimenyera nkhondo Odada Mtambo ali konko kudya chibanzi ife oKonsudwe tikuvalabe nsanza.Chiuta akuona izi mukuchitazi.
I hope Dr Chakwera will not accept this request. If he does then just khow Meme meme Tukero ofersin