Malawi Govt faces contempt over interdicted staff

Zomba Central Hospital (ZCH) interdicted employees have accused Malawi’s Ministry of Health of contempt of court for deducting their August and September salaries.

President of ZCH workers union Enock Chitimbe said in an interview the 11 interdicted health workers received letters which indicated that they will be receiving half pay for allegedly taking a leading role in a sit-in which took place at the facility in July this year.

The health workers wanted the ministry to remove from the hospital four people in the management team for alleged mismanagement.

The interdicted workers obtained an injunction from the Zomba High Court on July 24 2012 restraining the Ministry of Health from effecting the interdiction.

Said Chitimbe: “Despite a court injunction, we are surprised that the ministry is continuing to deduct our salary which is contempt of court. We want them [Ministry of Health] to pay us full salary for the two months they deducted from our pay slips since we are still working normally.”

Chitimbe said they have since consulted their lawyers on the way forward.

Ministry of Health spokesperson Henry Chimbali said the injunction which was served on them was sent to the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs for legal interpretation and the way forward.

Said Chimbali: “We are waiting for the feedback as to what we can do. The issue is in court and we are waiting for its finalisation so that we undertake other actions.”