TUM to decide today on risk allowance stalemate

Teachers Union of Malawi (TUM) has given government until today to respond to the teachers’ demand for risk allowances, or face unspecified action.

In a telephone interview yesterday, TUM secretary general Charles Kumchenga said government did not honour its promise to come back to them by end of last week.

He said: “We thought that they would tell us by the end of yesterday [Saturday] but nothing of that sort has happened.

“However, we are reliably informed that there have been meetings on the issue so we will wait to see if they communicate by tomorrow [today] before we make a decision.”

Last week, Kumchenga said the Ministry of Education promised to respond by the end of the week.

When contacted yesterday, Ministry of Education spokesperson Chikondi Chimala asked for more time before responding.

Last week, Chimala said the issue was still under discussion at central level adding that Treasury, the Presidential Task Force on Covid-19 and Department of Human Resource were better placed to comment.

But while Secretary to Treasury Chancy Simwaka said his office was not involved in the discussions, Principal Secretary for Human Resource Blessings Chilabade said communication would be made through TUM.

In April this year, the teachers demanded risk allowances once schools reopen, arguing they would be teaching in a risky environment. 

However, the Ministry of Education said the matter cannot be handled in isolation, as it may have a ripple effect in the government system; hence, the need for central government’s direction.