Africa-Press – Malawi. Workers at Mzuzu City Council (MCC) Monday laid down tools and held protests at the council offices, demanding salary and pension increments.
MCC Workers Union General Secretary Typen Kamanga said they are demanding a 10 percent salary increase and harmonisation of their pension to 25 percent from the current 10 percent.
Kamanga claimed the council had secretly reduced the pension remittance from 25 percent.
The employees have vowed to continue protesting until their demands are met.
“People are very disappointed with the small salary they are receiving and the pension reduction. We want it restored to normal.
“Authorities are making decisions on their own without involving us. We will not stop protesting until they respond to our demands,” Kamanga said.
UP IN ARMS—The workersHowever, MCC Public Relations Officer Mcdonald Gondwe said remitting a 25 percent pension contribution is not sustainable given the current financial status of the council.
Gondwe further said there is a need to understand the pension remittance dynamics and that the council will engage the workers and provide contingency measures to ensure smooth service delivery.
“As the council, we are trying to liaise with them on how best to deal with the matter. The issue largely concerns misunderstanding regarding the pension contribution.
“It is good for the workers because once they retire, they will be able to receive something, as we will be able to remit contributions to Nico. There will be no problem in increasing salaries because the council will already have settled other mandatory contributions,” Gondwe said.
The protesters blocked the council’s entrance with tree branches and placards carrying their demands.
Later, the employees closed the office of the chief executive officer with tree branches.
Mzuzu City Council has about 300 workers, with a minimum wage bill of K80 million per month as of last year.
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