Councillors press for 250% pay raise
Some councillors in the country have asked the government to hike their monthly pay from K100, 000 to K350, 000 which translates to a 250 percent raise.
The councillors under the banner of Concerned Councillors have threatened to hold nationwide demonstrations if their concerns are not addressed by the government.
Leader of the grouping, which met in Lilongwe on Saturday, Alexander Cosmas, said the government disregard the work of councillors but only prioritises members of Parliament (MPs).
“Malawians voted for all of us. Surprisingly, we are only elected officers whose working conditions are pathetic and yet our responsibility is too huge and very involving. Councillor is the one who implements everything that members of Parliament, Cabinet ministers only speak about on podiums,” he said
The councillors also continue to ask for K5.2 million loan claiming that the K1.5 million loan which they are entitled to is not enough to buy a durable motorcycle. They are also demanding monthly airtime allowance of K30, 000, ward allowance of K50, 000 and medical scheme allowance of K60, 000 for all councillors.
“We are ready to partner with various stakeholders who want good life for people such as HRDC [Human Rights Defenders Coalition], so that our work conditions are improved. We must state that all is set for us to hold nationwide demonstrations if we are not attended to,” he said.
Councillor for Kavusi Ward Patrica Longwe also called for a review of the Local Government Act targeting how public finances should be used at local level.
Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development spokesperson Mulhabase Mughogho said while the ministry is aware of the councillor’s concerns, the councillors are operating illegally amid existence of the mother body Malawi Local Government Association (Malga).
“We are appreciating the fact that there is a body that represents all councillors in the county. All the grievances that councillors have are presented to the government through Malga. It’s just unfortunate that there are some breakaway councillors who feel that Malga is not speaking on their behalf,” she said.
Recently Malga Executive Director Charles Chunga also said Malga has already done large part of processes in regards to improving conditions of service for councillors.
If the government bows down to the councillors demands, it means the wage bill will be bloated from K46.2 million to K161. 7 million a month for 462 councillors across the country.
