Saturday, July 2, 2022
  • About Us
  • ImagiNATION
  • Rate Card
  • Contact Us
The Nation Online
Advertisement
  • Home
  • News
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Entertainment
  • Life & Style
    • Every Woman
      • Soul
      • Family
    • Religion
    • Feature
  • Society
  • Columns
  • Sports
  • Chichewa
  • Enation
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Entertainment
  • Life & Style
    • Every Woman
      • Soul
      • Family
    • Religion
    • Feature
  • Society
  • Columns
  • Sports
  • Chichewa
  • Enation
No Result
View All Result
No Result
View All Result
Home Editors Pick

Industrial court moves to clear backlog

by Lloyd Chitsulo
01/05/2019
in Editors Pick, National News
3 min read
0
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on WhatsAppShare on LinkedinLinkedinShare via Email

The Industrial Relations Court (IRC) has said the swearing-in of eight new panellists will help clear a backlog of cases currently pegged at 6 766 dating back to 1999.

In an interview in Blantyre  yesterday after the swearing-in ceremony, IRC assistant registrar Innocent Nebi said the panellists have been sworn at a time the court had stopped issuing dates for case hearings since the expiry of contracts for previous panellists in February this year.

Nyirenda: Commit yourselves

The Ministry of Labour, Youth, Sports and Manpower Development appoints the panellists who act as mediators between employers and employees when cases are taken before the courts. They  also work in collaboration with the IRC chairperson and his deputy.

But Nebi yesterday said to motivate the panellists, they are engaging government to raise their sitting allowances currently pegged at K2 000.

Besides, as one of the motivation to the panelists, Nebi also said they are planning to open a new registry in Zomba to cater for the Eastern Region instead of the Blantyre registry catering for both Southern and Eastern regions.

“At the moment, we are also screening cases which have been outstanding so that we should give them priority dates. Other than that, we are also doing pre-hearing conferences at the IRC to settle some matters through mediation as all cases cannot go before the courts,” he said.

Nebi also acknowledged resource constraints as one of the challenges crippling the IRC. He said with the chairperson and deputy only working together with the panellists, there is always a challenge encountered.

Blantyre now has 10 panellists, five each for employers and employees.

Mzuzu registry has four panellists, two each for employers and employees, while Lilongwe registry has six panellists with three each for employers and employees.

In his speech, Chief Justice Andrew Nyirenda urged the new panellists to take the work seriously and commit themselves to help in disposing of cases.

The new panelists are Masozi Mwenefumbo, Isaac Chimunthu, Shakespeare Sesani and Gertrude Masambo for employees and Matrice Mwase, Gloria Zimba, Duncan Chambamba and Francis Patrick Chalera for employers.

At a professional development training in Mzuzu in March this year, IRC chairperson Chimwemwe Kamowa encouraged companies to be conversant with labour laws to avoid putting pressure on the courts.

According to records, the Southern Region has the most cases at IRC recorded at 3 164 followed by the Central Region with 2 809 while the Northern Region has 730 and the Eastern Region has 63.

In terms of districts, Blantyre has the highest at 3 148, Lilongwe has 2 720, Mzuzu has 651, Kasungu has 81 and Zomba has 43.

Between 1999, when the court was established, and September 2012, the case backlog stood at 2 480. During the period, the court registered 6 392 cases and concluded 3 912, according to a list compiled and published in our sister newspaper Weekend Nation.

During its formative years, the court first registered a backlog of two cases in 2001, one in 2002, four each in 2003 and 2004; 13 in 2005 and 19 in 2006.IRC was established under Section 110 (2) of the Constitution.

Previous Post

Chief urges politicians to honour promises

Next Post

MEC tests Poll system

Related Posts

Judges in ceremonial walk out of the High Courtagainst
Editors Pick

Judiciary protests verbal attacks

July 1, 2022
Magalasi (R)
National News

Ex-Mera boss case adjourned to July 21

July 1, 2022
Nankhumwa: I will reserve my comment
Front Page

4 DPP MPs disown Nankhumwa injunction

July 1, 2022
Next Post

MEC tests Poll system

Opinions and Columns

My Diary

God-fearing nation, my foot!

July 2, 2022
Off the Shelf

APM digging a hole for DPP

July 2, 2022
Guest Spot

‘Fighting corruption is not the easiest task of any govt’

July 2, 2022
My Turn

Following spouse is no crime

July 1, 2022

Malawi-Music.com Top10

Trending Stories

  • Entrance to one of the VP’s official residences in Blantyre: Mudi House

    New VP houses draw criticism

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  •  Malawi credit Status at risk

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Britain squeezes Zuneth Sattar

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • 4 DPP MPs disown Nankhumwa injunction

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Ex-MPC boss sues for unfair dismissal

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0

  • Values
  • Our Philosophy
  • Editorial policy
  • Advertising Policy
  • Code of Conduct
  • Plagiarism disclaimer
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of use

© 2022 Nation Publications Limited. All Rights Reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Entertainment
  • Life & Style
    • Every Woman
      • Soul
      • Family
    • Religion
    • Feature
  • Society
  • Columns
  • Sports
  • Chichewa
  • Enation

© 2020 Nation Publications Limited. All Rights Reserved.

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.