The Malawi Congress of Trade Union (MCTU) has warned government that without immediate and proper interventions to completely address the current economic crisis including the shortage of fuel and foreign currency, electricity blackouts and corruption, more Malawians are likely to enter the poverty circle hence defeating the aspirations of the Malawi 2063 Vision.
This warning has been issued through a press statement signed by Charles Kumchenga and Madalitso Njolomole, the Union’s President and General Secretary respectively.
According to the statement, it is sad that thousands of Malawians spend hours while others continue to sleep at filling stations with the hope to buy fuel.
Reads part of the statement: “The fuel crisis has come at a time our country is facing the worst economic crisis characterized with high cost of living, high inflation, persist electricity cuts, scarcity of forex and a 25 percent devaluation of the kwacha.
“MCTU is aware of Government plan to unlock approximately 30 million litres of fuel that is believed to stabilize the fuel crisis. As much as this is a commendable move by government, MCTU feel that it is a short-term approach.”
The Union has described the current economic crisis as “unbearable for businesses and majority of Malawians”.
It further said in the absence of long-lasting government interventions many businesses continue to scale down while others completely close down leading to massive job losses across the country hence exposing many Malawians to economic poverty.
MCTU has further warned some employers who have taken advantage of the crisis to retrench workers or reducing their salary or wages without proper procedures as stipulated in the Employment Act.
In addition, MCTU has advised government to urgently call for a multi-stakeholder meeting where organized labour and business should also be involved in order to develop comprehensive set of interventions towards addressing the current fuel and economic crisis that has mercilessly hit the economy.
“MCTU would also like to caution government that without proper and long-term solutions to address the current economic crisis then government should expectmore tough times ahead coupled with massive social unrest,” reads the statement.
