MP Musowa threatens to boycott parliament: DPP says ‘give teachers Covid risk allowance’

On Tuesday morning, Member of Parliament for Mulanje Bale, Victor Musowa, threatened to boycott Parliament sitting and would only come back when students resume learning as  teachers are on strike, demanding government to give them Covid-19 risk allowances.

Victor Musowa (c): Let students learn

Musowa promised to refund his allowances for the days he will be out of Parliament, saying it is unfair for the MPs — whose kids are studying abroad or in glamorous schools in the country — to be discussing issues in the august House when sons and daughters of poor Malawians are not learning because teachers are demanding risk allowances.

But Leader of the House, Richard Chimwendo Banda advised Musowa against boycotting Parliament, adding that the opposition should not politicise the teachers’ strike.

On Monday, Presidential Press Secretary Brian Banda said at a State House weekly briefing that teachers should understand the direction given by scientists that they  are not at high risk to Covid-19.

He added that President Lazarus Chakwera expect teachers to understand these issues and hopes that schools will re-re-open.

But  DPP spokesperson on Finance, Joseph Mwanamvekha, said teachers should be given Covid-19 risk allowances just like other workers.

“We, on this side of the isle were shocked with the inconsistency and contradictory remarks by the Minister on the government side indicating that teachers are not at risk and therefore they do not deserve getting risk allowances and on the other hand she is saying teachers will be the first ones to get vaccinated as they are at risk! Madam Speaker, this is contradictory and baffling!

“To be realistic and fair, Madam Speaker, teachers deserve risk allowance the same as our men and women in uniform,” said Mwanamvekha.

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Phyot Olera Kun Yini
3 years ago

Musowa is indeed man of the moment. Maphunzitsi alandire allowance basi . If Chakwera is able to give covid allowance to villagers why should he fail to give risk allowance to teachers? Simwano umenewo?

Shatta
Shatta
3 years ago

No risk allowance for teachers. The teachers are being unreasonable. What will the risk allowance change as regards to contracting COVID?

Will the allowance stop them from contracting COVID?

Government must not bow down to the unthoughtful demands. Otherwise every Jim and Jack will be making similar demands.

Shua
Shua
3 years ago

I thick this is just about money not being at risk if so the would asking the gover what have they put in major for them to be protected not money ok if the gover give them money are they not going to use it for thier personallty,so Doctors,pol arm there are the one really fighting this war where ever there is cov + they go there

Kaisala
Kaisala
3 years ago

Musowa alibe ntchito uyu. He chased NRB officials waiwala kale. Olo utanyanyala ulibe vep

mtete
mtete
3 years ago

Musowa knew “madzi achita katondo” in his constituency where the allocated development fund has been abused, possibly for personal gains, and is therefore trying to divert attention. Well, time for plundering public resources is up comrade because this government won’t tolerate thievery. He must know that it’s not only his constituency being investigated

Anzelu ndi Anzelu
Anzelu ndi Anzelu
3 years ago

Teachers are at risk because they are frontline workers too. Are we denying the risk or are we denying the responsibility to foot such an expense? The overcrowded schools, with children from all walks of life, who knows what they bring to school. Stop politicising the issue and help our teachers with risk allowance. Ndalama zilipo, ngati boma likulipila ma K400 million for good for nothing obese Khumbo Kachali, or multimillion dollar haircut for Msungama, surely they can pay the teachers.

Kaisala
Kaisala
3 years ago

Kkkkkk who is a front line worker. Don’t misuse the word front line worker. Find another word or term don’t mislead people please

bentby
3 years ago

was chatting with my foreign manager on discord app, i asked him, do you think its reasonable for teachers to Demand COVID risk allowances? he asked, ”what is their ground for asking the allowance?” i answered, ”they says, because they are handling lots of kids/pupils from different homes, hence they are at risk of contacting the virus just like nurses and doctors.” he said, ”I don’t think they are fair enough to compare themselves to doctors, doctors and nurses are dealing direct with covid patients, i think as long as your govt provides, ppe to the teachers and they use… Read more »

Mastala
Mastala
3 years ago
Reply to  bentby

You and your foreign friend are both wrong and stupid! It is very hard to replace experienced teachers. All of us would be nothing if it wasnt of the same teachers. Even doctors would be useless. The teachers must be protected at all costs, they handle kids who are mostly immune to virus, but the teachers aren’t. There is a lot to consider. You need better foreign friends of which are many out there if your friend is that dull. But looking at how you can’t even capitalise your own name on a furum, shows sukulu sidakupindulire, can’t expert anything… Read more »

Last edited 3 years ago by Mastala
Katundu Muzito
Katundu Muzito
3 years ago
Reply to  Mastala

Musanachose chisoso mudiso lazanu chosani kaye chanu, it’s expect not expert and your arguments are out of anger and dismay…. Full of fury. Be objective in your arguments.

Jah~Guide
Jah~Guide
3 years ago
Reply to  bentby

If that is his line of thinking, it means if doctors are provided with PPE and they use the properly their risk will be very low again. Do you think sir, a teacher can teach while covered like those covid guys in white? surely that is impossible. The only way to help teachers is to let tbem teach online. Teacher may interact with more than 400 students a day some of which are positive. Doctors are trained on how to handle diseases, what about teachers? You people think wisely this is not politics.

zikunka nabeba kwa masharubu
zikunka nabeba kwa masharubu
3 years ago
Reply to  bentby

Did your foreigner just theorize the matter and then made a recommendation? He must be one of these foreign managers who oppress your kind who leak boots of foreign managers to get promoted or earn a trip abroad. He is a cheap advisor. I see you quickly bought his opinion just because he is foreign upon which you must be ashamed of yourself, one of the racists against your own race. Who buys an opinion merely because it has been expressed by a foreigner? Now, learn this: after your sketchy brainstorming that led to your inadequate hypothetical recommendation, you would… Read more »

Last edited 3 years ago by zikunka nabeba kwa masharubu
Chiswa B
Chiswa B
3 years ago

Teachers are making stupid demands. That’s why we dont take you seriously. You are like anthu akumpoto who always feel they are victimised because of where they come from.

Mastala
Mastala
3 years ago
Reply to  Chiswa B

Munakakhala ndani chipanda aphunzitsi achitsilu inu. Munthu osayamika.

Anzelu ndi Anzelu
Anzelu ndi Anzelu
3 years ago
Reply to  Chiswa B

Stupid!!!!!

Nepotism
3 years ago
Reply to  Chiswa B

Apo walakwitsa I think you are a fool

Wakumpoto
Wakumpoto
3 years ago
Reply to  Chiswa B

Think wise osangolembapo ngati mwakhuta maungu shatap

Banda
Banda
3 years ago

Possibly the whole story is just a lie, as it has been reported today in parliment this same MP is being investigated by Fiscal Police to how he has spent Local Development Monies. Another thought is he wishes not to answer questions about the investigation. A new Sheriff is in town and is watching how MP’s are spending our Development Money. Personally it maybe better to have MP elections every 3 years.

Banda
Banda
3 years ago

Strange practices in Malawi Government continues to pay striking workers where other countries do not. It allows for fair bargaining and speedy resolution to issues. Once a strike has lasted a few weeks Government votes to send essential workers back to work while continuing to negotiate and resolve issues. Teachers are holding Government hostage on this covid issue that has been around more than a year. Greedy teachers not appreciating the full pay they received for almost 10 months. Time teachers were forced back to work by legislation while negotiations an a way forward on allowances.

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