The strike by employees in shops, which happened in Lilongwe this week, spread to Mzuzu City yesterday, forcing business owners to endorse the agreed minimum salary of K18 600 (about $46.50).
The endorsement of the new salaries and improvement of working conditions came after the employees boycotted work leaving the city with shops closed.
The agreement was made in the presence of Ministry of Labour officials and police.
According to a representative of the employees, Zabair Ahmed, the businesspersons agreed to the new perks considering the high cost of living. He said the businesspersons will also abide by every agreement made regarding the workers conditions of service.
“These conditions are for all businesspersons: Indians, Chinese, Nigerians, Lebanese and even indigenous Malawians. Everyone has to abide by these new salaries,” said Ahmed.
One of the workers Ramsey Chirwa, said the employees would now work for 26 days only in a month apart from.
Other conditions of service agreed upon are that a sick employee would be given bed rest after showing a medical report; employers will allow employees to attend funerals, among others.
