MCTU urges govt to act on Judiciary strike
Malawi Congress of Trade Unions (MCTU) says it expects President Peter Mutharika to come up with measures to end the labour dispute that has rocked the Judiciary, grounding to a halt the country’s justice delivery system.
In a statement, MCTU, an umbrella body of trade unions in the country, has also appealed to all trade unions to preserve the culture of unionism and support the bargaining process of fellow workers in their quest for social justice on the principle that “an injury to one is an injury to all”.
“MCTU expects the State President to show statesmanship and leadership to come up with measures to end the labour dispute through peaceful means and collective bargaining,” reads the statement signed by MCTU president Chauluka Muwake and secretary general Pontius Kalichero.
MCTU has also called on government to consider two options, which include a meeting between Chief Justice Anastazia Msosa and Mutharika over the Judiciary dispute to seek a resolution of the matter immediately.
Reads the second option: “A parliamentary committee such as the Public Appointment Committee or the Legal Affairs Committee should arbitrate or mediate over the dispute and resolve the matter once and for all. MCTU feels [it] can be a convenient partner in the mediation exercise if so requested.”
MCTU said Malawi cannot afford to stay without operations of courts.
Judiciary support staff are in the fourth week of their strike after they took action to force government to increase their salaries just as it has done with civil servants in the mainstream. Judges also intend to join the strike.
