MCTU to report Malawi govt to ILO in Geneva: Demands Minister Chiumia’s apology over ‘barbaric acts’

Malawi Congress of Trade Unions (MCTU) has demanded an open apology from Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security Grace Chiumia and government spokesperson  condemning  Chiumia’s conduct  where she ordered the arrest of 14 National Registration Bureau otherwise they will take  the matter to  Geneva during International Labour Organization General Assembly.

Kalekeni: MCTU will report Malawi government to international body

MCTU is also demanding immediate payment of the concerned workers’ salaries and arrears and professionalism on the part of police.

Speaking during a news conference, MCTU General Secretary, Denis Kalekeni gave government until 30 September to make public apology or else the body will report the government to the Committee of Experts on Freedom of Association an arm of ILO which looks at disciplinary issues on freedom of association among its members States.

“We want government o condemn these barbaric acts, or else, MCTU shall have no option but to include these actions in our report to the Committee of Experts on Freedom of Association for government to appear before the committee next year in June during the International Labour Conference,” said MCTU secretary general Dennis Kalekeni, reading from a statement which he co-signed with the body’s president Luther Mambala.

Minister Chiumia has been in the headlines for wrong reasons since accompanied by armed police officers; she ambushed NRB officers holding a meeting in Mzuzu to demand arrears dating back to May 2017.

She then ordered the arrest of the officials, where 14 were kept in custody and charged with unlawful assembly and conspiracy to commit a felony. They were later granted bail by police.

Kalekeni described the arrest of NRB staff as violation of human rights and demand “an immediate action by government on this issue.”

He said: “The Minister of Home Affairs should make a public apology on her unbecoming conduct. The conduct of the minister and the police is barbaric, retrogressive and a threat to freedom of assembly and association.

“The minister or the police have no power to abrogate right  of Malawi’s Constitution.”

MCTU also asked President Peter Mutharika to deal wtih Minister Chiumia for “taiting the image of Malawi in as far as human rights is concerned.”

Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV :

Sharing is caring!

Follow us in Twitter
6 Comments
newest
oldest most voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Citizen
Citizen
6 years ago

Mobilize people Iike a real trade union! What’s this nonsense about reporting your own government to foreign entities! This is laziness! Organize like they do in South Africa and challenge the government! Za ziiiiii!

dinky
dinky
6 years ago

apepese basi zomwezi mpaka kumangana chifukwa anthu akufuna zawo ndalama kungova kuti ndinu anduna basi malamulo mwawayika mmanja mwanu kodi ambwenimbweni munakhala bwanji vuto la azimayi akakhaala maudindo amakhala oipa mitima kwambiri

Ceaser Mtonga
Ceaser Mtonga
6 years ago

It is sad to note that every time something happens, Malawians are quick to report to the so called international bodies. We find NGOs running to Geneva, the Opposition Leaders running to donors and now this. This shows lack of maturity as a country. Do we not have the Industrial Relations Court that can handle such things? What is the purpose of such structures as the Ombudsman and the whole judicial system? If these have proven not helpful, lets fix them so help our people, rather than running around like the white mans puppets. Some of us feel sad when… Read more »

Yankho Yapuwa
Yankho Yapuwa
6 years ago
Reply to  Ceaser Mtonga

Are we naive to honestly think that the Industrial Relations Court will do anything on an issue that concerns a whole minister? Of course i agree taking the issue to Geneva aint a solution even. They should sue the minister coz i dont see any legal reason for their arrest.

Gogo Chalo Jere
Gogo Chalo Jere
6 years ago

I salute Denis Kalekeni and MCTU. Report akanganya amenewa. Who does Grace thinks she is? Unlawful assembly amaidziwa? Nayoso police simapanga examine ngati ma elements a offence akukwanira before arresting and charging people? Sad development indeed. Grace should make a public apology and people should recieve their arrears asap. Tindalama tochepa tomweti muwabereposo?

mkandawire
mkandawire
6 years ago

please can you report to ILO about the IRC performerses in malawi,we have cases of 2010 in our all IRC in malawi.

Read previous post:
Simbi’s Khato Civils promises to transform communities along Lilongwe, Salima road

Khato Holdings Executive Chairman, Simbi Phiri, says his company is set to transform communities along Lilongwe-Salima Road which is coincidentally...

Close