Malawi President, VP suspend salary hike: MP’s get 367% pay rise

Malawian President Peter Mutharika and vice president Saulos Chilima have said they will not be taking the percent  salary increase “until economic situation improves”, Finance Minister and government chief secretary have confirmed to Nyasa Times.

President Mutharika (left) and  his vice president  Saulos Chilima: Will not receive new salary under current economci situtaion
President Mutharika (left) and his vice president Saulos Chilima: Will not receive new salary under current economci situtaion

Information Minister Kondwani Nankhumwa said the new salaries,  were “in line with the budget” which was passed by parliament last September.

Mutharika, who came to power after defeating Joyce Banda in May elections,  has since said he will continue getting the  K1.5 million a month and not the approved K2.7 million (  $5,263 ) a month.

Chilima will also be going home with  K1 million and not the revised K1.8 million kwachas.

Government chief secretary George Mkondiwa confirmed with Nyasa Times in a telephone interview on Saturday evening, saying the Head of State and his deputy have “suspended” their new salaries, saying they will prioritise the improvement of living standards of civil servants and Malawians in general.

“We are harmonising our salaries  [in the civil service] .The President His Excellency Prof Arthur Peter Mutharika and vice president Chilima  have decided  to suspend receipt of those salaries because of the  [ailing] economy,” said Mkondiwa.

“They will continue receiving their old salary,” the government chief secretary said.

“It’s a voluntary arrangement [by the presidency],” said Mkondiwa.

Mkondiwa sais while the proposed salary increase for the Head of State may be justified, “the President has decided to forgo the increase this time.”

Finance and Economic Development Minister Goodall Gondwe also told Nyasa Times in a telephone interview on Saturday that “indeed I can confirm that the President and the Vice President will not be receiving the new salary.”

Gondwe said the presidency has deferred their new pay package amid austerity measures following foreign aid flight.

The salary hike send shock waves to Malawians as the country is facing economic turmoil.

Meanwhile, ministers and lawmakers will get a huge pay rise.

The pay cheques of the country’s 20 ministers  and Leader of Opposition (Dr Lazarous Chakwera of MCP) have jumped to  K1 608 million ($3,000) from  K600 000 per month  ($1,150) representing a rise of 168 percent, plus benefits including fuel allowances of 1 000 litres per month and K350 000 as housing allowance.

Deputy Minister’s salaries have been raised to K800 000 from K428 000, representing 87 percent with fuel coupon of 1 000 litres and will be paid K250 000 if they are not living in a government house per month.

The 193 lawmakers who make up the Malawi parliament will be getting K600 000 ($1,150) per month from K126 000, representing 376 percent. They will also 1 000 litres per month in fuel allowance and K350 000 as housing allowance.

According to acting Clerk of Parliament Roosevelt Gondwe, the new salary structure for MPs was implemented from October 1, 2014.

Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV :

Sharing is caring!

Follow us in Twitter
151 Comments
newest
oldest most voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Mbuyache
Mbuyache
9 years ago

Mp’4 are actually getting 500 Litres n not wat the media is saying

Kangandiwamba
9 years ago

Hypocrs of highest order, mr prezdent, how do u suspend somethng which wasnt there? Parliament neva dscusd ur salary incrment as such u are not supozd to receive de new salary. So suspend it doznt bring anythng new,,,,,zan’khutu!

amfumu
amfumu
9 years ago

That seems to be the only issue MPs will totally agree on.Fat bustards

ya
ya
9 years ago

mr president may raise my salary wit 150%? i dont mean give it now coz economy we face but when finance wit our b ok give me alliars. please consider me to!!!

zakakaliya mulopwiya
zakakaliya mulopwiya
9 years ago

Bwana APM ma mp ate getting home 376% pomwe ife tilungpfuna 40%

Edward
Edward
9 years ago

All its stupitity, kodi malawi ali kupita kuti? Step down the president please, wonetsani kusakondwa kwani pomuuza chilungamo cheni cheni pamozi ndi gulu lake chifukwa zonse ndi mbava ndithu.

pompo pompo
pompo pompo
9 years ago

Good combination. Please continue to improve package for civil servants. Let the others who are selfish continue with the strike after all no one is dying because of their strike. Mbava kazitsekereni palibe okazitulutsa tipumeko zikatsekeredwa indefinately

Matako
Matako
9 years ago

APM is trying to fool Malawians by making them believe that he has suspended his pay hike. In fact this thief has not done so as he will be collecting even more through dubious allowances together with his VP. These people are corrupt greedy thieves they should not be allowed to get away with it. civil servants should shut down government all together until they get similar raises. This is very irresponsible and very insensitive to Malawian people who are suffering due to inept policies of this administration. How can you cry claiming the government is broke and you turn… Read more »

sapitwa 1.
sapitwa 1.
9 years ago

NANGA ENAFE BWA? POPEAZA MACHOP AKE NDI AMODZI OMWEWO ,NAFENSO MUTIKONDE MPAKA TIKHALE PA SITALAKA? ABALE MAWA MUZATIFUNATU.

Kanjipiti
Kanjipiti
9 years ago

Apatu timtsukapo mkwamwa nati machende awo a ma MP & Ma ministers kuphatikizapo amene wasainila bill ya increment… Ife hatlora loko dontho dala

Read previous post:
CHRR faults ‘insesitive’ pay hike: Malawi MPs urged to reject salary increase

Centre for Human Rights and Rehabilitation (CHRR) has described the recent government’s move to hike President, Vice President, and Cabinet...

Close