Teachers in the country have threatened to hold a nationwide strike if the government fails to pay salary arrears for teachers and lecturers by June 30 this year.
In a letter dated June 18 2018 sent to the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Teachers Union of Malawi (Tum) says the sit-in is planned to begin on July 9.
Tum Secretary General, Charles Kumchenga, Tuesday said the government owes them K1.7 billion.
The body accuses the government of not taking the matter seriously, arguing that they have done their part to ensure that issues of arrears are sorted out without resorting to industrial action.
“Tum has been engaging government, in particular Local Government and Ministry of Education, in meetings and we have been communicating through letters and phone calls but tangible results are not coming out,” reads the letter in part.
Tum has also punched holes in the auditing exercise that the government undertook recently, describing it as scapegoat as some of the districts that went through the process are yet to get their arrears.
“This is the clear evidence that there is negligence and lack of seriousness in the government system,” it further reads.
Nevertheless, Kumchenga believes that, within the given timeframe, the government would be able to respond to their concerns.
Ministry of Education spokesperson, Lindiwe Chide, referred us to the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development.
“They are the ones responsible for teachers’ salaries because of decentralisation. They would be in a better position to comment on the matter,” she said.
Ministry of Local Government spokesperson Muhlabase Mughogho, while clarifying that the ministry is only responsible for primary school teachers, said stakeholders are scheduled to meet on the matter.
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