Orphanage staff strike in Malawi

Staff at Kondanani Children’s Home in the southern Malawi district of Thyolo went on strike on Wednesday demanding salary increment to mitigate the rising cost of living.

According to the orphanage founder Anne Chikhwaza, more than 50 of its 158 employees turned volatile and blocked the gates into the orphanage.

“Although the police arrived late, they did a commendable job in calming the employees down. Every employee at the orphanage has a contract, which clearly says that increments are given in June and that cannot change now because we have not received funding from our donors.

“Management is also struggling to feed children and run the place,” said Chikhwaza.

One of the employees said since most staff had been complaining of the rising cost of living, they expected their salaries to be revised upwards by May and not June.

The orphanage keeps 185 children. Their ages range from 0 to 15 years and employees’ salaries range from K12 500 to K70 000.