A group of concerned citizens with the skyrocketing prices of goods in the country has given President Lazarus Chakwera’s Tonse government 30 days ultimatum to increase civil servants salaries with 50% so as they be able to sustain their lives.
This comes barely few days after the government announced the 12% salary increment for the civil servants.
In a statement addressed to the government, the group leader Oliver Nakoma, says cost of living has increased in the country with 50% and 12% salary increment which has been approved by government on civil servants is an insult.
Nakoma says, the government should quickly tally the civil servants salary increment so as they cope up with the raising cost of living and execute their duties without financial hiccups.
“We therefore, demand the government to tally the salary increment with the same factor as the cost of living ( 50%) for the civil servants to cope up easily with the increased prices of goods and execute their duties without financial hiccups,” says Nakoma.
Nakoma further questions the government as why it has only raised the salaries of Cabinet Ministers, President and Members of Parliament with 100% plus, while the civil servants (doctors, nurses, teachers, etc) are still receiving 12% salary increment.
Meanwhile, the grouping has threatened to propose a 3 days shutdown in all civil service institutions if the government fails to seriously respond to their demands after the 30 days period.
Recently, the Teachers Union of Malawi (TUM) and Civil Servants Trade Union announced that they had agreed with the government to increase their salaries with 12% starting from May this year.
