Sportsmen body, Textile Union sign MoU
Sportsmen Association of Malawi (SAM) last weekend signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Textile, Garment, Leather and Security Service Workers Union (TGLSSWU) at Malawi National Council of Sports (MNCS) in Blantyre.
According to SAM board of trustees vice-chairperson Raphael Nasimba and TGLSSWU president Peter Chiwaya, through the MoU, the union will be advising the sportsmen’s body and its members on all labour related issues so as to help most local athletes understand contractual matters.
“Most of our members, who are athletes in various sports disciplines, do not understand contractual matters. As a result they end up being losers because they cannot defend their cases due to lack of evidence. We, therefore, want the union to give us an insight is such issues in line with the country’s labour laws,” Nasimba said.
“We exist to protect, promote and enhance the welfare of our athletes, who mostly suffer due to lack of knowledge.”
Nevertheless, Chiwaya said the agreement entails that all legal issues shall be dealt with in line with the world football governing body Fifa and Football Association of Malawi (FAM) rules and regulations.
“In spite of that, all references and basis for discussions, bargaining and legal disputes on labour related topics shall be in line with labour laws,” he said.
Retired Nyasa Big Bullets player James Chilapondwa, who represented Football Players Association of Malawi (Fpam), hailed the partnership as the best way of sorting out contractual misunderstandings among local athletes.
SAM was established to fight for the welfare of local athletes in various sporting codes such as football, netball and boxing.
