Professional and Truck Drivers unions plan to hold nationwide strike over pay rise

Written by Gift Asibu:

The Truck Drivers Union of Malawi and Professional Drivers Union have jointly declared a nationwide general strike to demand an increase in their monthly salaries and improved welfare from the government and their employers, the Transporters Association.

According to Mphatso Molleni, the General Secretary of the Professional Drivers Union, the general strike is scheduled to commence on October 16th, 2023.

Molleni explained, “We have resorted to down tools as the government has failed to address our grievances for a long time.”

The Professional and Truck Driver Unions have engaged with the government and the Transporters Association on multiple occasions to consider their demands, particularly in light of the country’s economic challenges.

However, their efforts have yielded no positive outcomes.

Molleni stated, “We have been asking them since 2018, but nothing has changed, and we have had about 10 meetings.”

In response, Watson Maingo, the Ministry of Transport and Public Works Spokesperson, said the ministry has not yet received formal communication from the disgruntled Professional and Truck Drivers Unions.

The Truck Drivers Association of Malawi and the Professional Drivers Union have been pushing for both the government and the Transporters Association to increase their salaries and allowances to align with the rising cost of living.