Judiciary employees to down tools

Trouble brews in the Judiciary as junior staff down tools from Monday next week in an effort to force Malawi Government implement their improved conditions of service approved in 2006.

The nationwide strike means cases will not be heard and suspects will be denied their right to speedy trials, among others.

The junior staff, who staged another strike in 2010 over the same issue, have decided to resume the strike because they say their patience has
run out and blame their authorities for handling the matter with kids gloves.

To emphasise their point, the employees held a news conference on Friday where they said they have no choice, but proceed with the strike despite
Supreme Court Judge Atanazio Tembo, who is chairing the working committee on conditions of service, warning them against the plan.

Contact person for the employees’ group, called Judiciary Action Group, Austin Kamanga said in an interview on Thursday all is set for the strike come Monday. He said
communication has gone to all courts in the country.

Said Kamanga, “We shall not handle files and this means that cases will not be heard and those on remand will continue being on remand without trial.”

Among others, the employees are fighting for 40 percent salary increment they were promised in 2006 and 50 percent they were promised in 2009.