Malawi nurses’ organisation shocked at 21% offer

Finance Minister Dr. Ken Lipenga’s announcement that civil servants will receive an average of 21 percent salary increment has shocked nurses and midwives who anticipated a 46 percent hike.

National Organisation of Nurses and Midwives (Nonm) president Jonathan Abraham-Gama said in a questionnaire response on Monday, they were surprised that despite their demands being pegged at 67 percent, government chose to offer a 21 percent increase.

Abraham-Gama, however, said the organisation hopes that government will adjust the salaries further considering the inflation brought about by the recent devaluation.

“We expected 46 percent, however, we were surprised that 21 percent salary average increment was announced without much explanation on the maximum salary increment percentage,” said Abraham-Gama, who was part of the negotiation team between government and civil servants representatives.

He said the 46 percent increment, which was agreed upon, was on a lower side considering the initial 10 percent devaluation plus the recent 49 percent devaluation and inflation of approximately 18 percent.

“Generally, as nurses and midwives in this country, we expected a higher salary increment as you are aware, we pegged our demands at 67 percent on short-term measure to help civil servants due to effects of fuel shortage and 10 percent devaluation of kwacha and inflation rate that was at 12 percent some months ago,” he said

Abraham-Gama said if government does not consider their pleas, civil servants representatives will continue engaging authorities to exhaust the process of negotiations before thinking of the next course of action.