TUM divided on strike
Divisions have rocked the Teachers Union of Malawi (TUM) over the decision by one camp to call off a strike aimed at forcing government to pay teachers Covid-19 risk allowances.
Some members of the TUM executive committee issued a statement at a press briefing in Lilongwe yesterday announcing that the union had called off the strike following talks it had with the Presidential Task Force on Covid-19.
However, the TUM president Willy Malimba insisted in an interview later that the strike was still on, saying the group had not resolved the matter.
He said the announcement made at the press briefing was a surprise to him because TUM executive was due to meet yesterday on the matter.
Said Malimba: “Our meeting failed to take place. I didn’t endorse the cancellation of the strike. TUM constitution mandates only the president and secretary general to call for or call off a strike.”
He admitted that the union is divided, adding the matter could have been resolved using proper procedures.
“We are being told that teachers don’t deserve risk allowances but should be the first to receive vaccines. What does that mean? People should wait for the President to sign such a statement,” said Malimba.
Ministry of Education spokesperson Chikondi Chimala yesterday declined to comment on the matter, saying TUM was best placed to comment on whether the strike was going ahead or not.
Minister of Education Agnes NyaLonje announced in Parliament on Wednesday that the Presidential Task Force on Covid-19 had rejected the demands for teachers’ risk allowances, fearing giving in will open a pandora’s box of other civil servants demanding the same.
The task force the demands could not be met under current budget environment.
