National Football Coaches Association (NFCA) has said it is concerned that the majority of the country’s clubs are not complying with minimum wage requirements for their coaches.
The association set K750,000 as a minimum wage for Caf A and B coaching licence holders some three years ago.
However, out of the 16 TNM Super League clubs, only FCB Nyasa Big Bullets, Mighty Mukuru Wanderers, Silver Strikers, Civil Service United and Creck Sporting Club, formerly Kawinga FC, are complying with the requirement.
NCFA General Secretary Davie Mpima admitted that enforcement of minimum wage requirements for coaches has been a tall order as some of their members do not disclose contents of their contracts.
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“Most of our members are not comfortable to give us details of their contracts. We only come to know about their packages when there is a disagreement with their employers. Of course we know that the majority of our clubs are struggling financially but this should not be a licence to abuse our members.
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“At the time of announcing the minimum wage for our coaches, several clubs complained that it was too high for Malawi football. We indeed appreciate the financial status of our clubs but we are urging them to find ways of improving our coaches’ welfare,’’ Mpima said.
Newly-promoted Baka City’s General Secretary Jones Mockton said they do not have enough resources to splash cash anyhow.
“The agreement between the coach and the team is confidential. We pay our technical staff what we can manage. We do not promise them the moon and the sun,’’ Mockton said.
Chief Executive Officer for Mzuzu City Hammers, formerly Ekwendeni Hammers, Benjamin Thole, said the wage is unrealistic.
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“Let us be realistic when setting such wages. It is not easy to manage a club without sponsors. We find ourselves in situations where we dig deep into our pockets to pay players and coaches. What works well for us is the government minimum wage,’’ Thole said.
Government recently raised minimum wages for general workers from K50,000 to K90,000 per month.
However, the amount is still considered by many stakeholders as being on the lower side due to the high cost of living.
Football Association of Malawi Compliance Manager Casper Jangale said the clubs have been advised to follow the government minimum wage for both players and coaches.
“The employer and employee should discuss the perks. But we have discovered that some coaches and players do not have bargaining power. In such cases, the best way for them would be going through their unions. The coaches association cannot negotiate perks for its members because it has limits,’’ Jangale said.
