Escom staff get job security assurance
Employees of Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi (Escom) have been assured of their job security, effectively clearing uncertainties surrounding their employment ahead of the impending restructuring to split the sole power utility into two.
Prior to the assurance, Escom Staff Union (ESU) had threatened to call for a strike from today following the expiry of their notice period yesterday served to Escom management and government over the unbundling of the corporation.
Earlier yesterday, reports indicated that ESU had called off the impending sit-in after government and management assured them of job security.
But as we went to press last evening, the ESU leadership was non-committal on whether they would proceed with the strike.
ESU secretary general Joseph Mweneva Kamwendo said the staff wanted individual letters.
According to a letter of assurance from the Chief Secretary to the Government George Mkondiwa, Escom employees have been assured that the unbundling process will not lead to job losses and they will continue enjoying their current status.
In another communication to ESU president Patrick Nadzanja, Escom chief executive officer John Kandulu also assured the employees that their employment will remain secure after the unbundling of the corporation.
As part of the energy sector restructuring, Escom is being split into two—generation and distribution. n
