The country has so far seen an influx of lots of mostly Chinese and Middle Eastern investors on top of the already operating Indian,Pakistan and Sri Lankan traders that are scattered all over highly populated areas around the country.
Most of these employers treat their staff poorly.They have poor working conditions,some dont even have breaks,pay is very low despite the government saying there is a minimum wage of K185 per day.The question is what will K185 do to a person with a family.Most of us locals have to commute to work as well by public transport daily and the daily wage is not even enough..not even enough to buy half a kilogram of meat.(don't even dare to say the word tilapia.(chambo).I hear its imported fish,thats why so expensive.Some companies like one Chinese owned,Ice Cream manufacturer in Kanengo,Lilongwe pays staff K125 per day,what a load rubbish..
Its so disgusting to see and hear politicians complaining that their salaries are very low and needs and increase,yet their salary packages and other benefits are miles away from an average citizen.
Politicians get voted into power and forget aboout the local person.They forget about the neighbour they used to play bawo with,they forget their days they campaigned and the lies they said.MP's are there to present people's interests,but do they do that?..NO!!.The president himself has been busy paying lip service about cotton prices and threatening the buyers with action yet nothing is done. These hypocrites have no shame at all, once they are voted in power ,they stop caring about welfare of the voters. I do ask myself,will i be like this if i was in power.I have seen the problems people face.Do you now wonder when people say the second term is a flop?
Why is it that they sit and watch these so called foreign investors,ill treat loal Malawians.Are they scared of taking them head on?If they cannot comply with the laws of the country,they should have their licences withdrawn and deported from the country.We have laws that need to be followed.Even animals in the jungle have rules to be adhered to.
How come companies are getting away with this by paying hard working citizens lowly.You will be suprised that these foreign employers have people from their own countries who do same jobs that local Malawians do,yet they are on a higher rate of pay?Why is that?
When are we going to find politicians with he welfare of people at heart.Someone who will think of his people and make sure companies,investors,employers are following employment laws.When will the so called trade unions fight for workers rights.?People have got the right to good pay,than silly money for hard work.
true. i also get concerned to hear these piece workers (paid per day) get locked in to these factories to avoid theft. malawians have died in fires because of this practice.
ReplyDeletei was glad to hear uladi mussa raided capital foods last week... however isn't it the government that pays K 200 per day to the ladies you see cleaning up the side of the road.
on minimum wage i don't see a way forward, while there are hundreds of people desperate for cash, how could legislation be enforced?