The Malawi government will gazette the new minimum wage tomorrow, May 1st, with workers calling for a bold 100% increase.
Labor Minister Peter Dimba confirmed that the minimum wage review process has been completed and the government targeted the new fees on International Labor Day. However, he refused to reveal the final figures and stated that they were unethical before official publication.
“We’ve completed it and May 1st is our target, but you know it includes documents,” Dimba said in a written response yesterday. “It would be unethical for me to leak numbers before the official gazette.”
At the Tripartite Labor Advisory Committee (TLAC) meeting last week in Lilongwe, the Malawi Labor Union Conference (MCTU) proposed a 100% increase in the minimum wage, rising to K180,000. Meanwhile, the Association of Employers (ECAM) in Malawi represents a 40% increase, suggesting K126,000.
“There is no agreement yet,” said MCTU President Charles Kumchenga. “Our proposal is clear – K180,000. That’s what workers deserve. ECAM suggested less and we couldn’t agree.”
Kumchenga also argued that the TLAC meeting was merely a consultation and that the government is responsible for making the final call.
ECAM executive director George Khaki defended the lower numbers, citing financial difficulties. “Inflation is around 30%, we added 10% to cushion workers, but the industry is struggling.
Legally, the Minister of Labor is authorized to amend the minimum wage without binding agreement from the TLAC.
Meanwhile, the Center for Social Concern (CFSC) reports that the cost of living for a family of six stood at K503,876 in February.
Whether the final figure matches the proposed K180,000 or lands somewhere in between, all eyes are on the government as we prepare to gazette the new wage tomorrow.
For workers in Malawi, May 1 can mark more than Workers’ Day. It may be the beginning of a much-anticipated financial change.
