MCTU cautions teachers’ union
The Malawi Congress of Trade Unions (MCTU) has warned new leaders of the Teachers Union of Malawi (Tum) to work hard so that they meet teachers’ expectations.
MCTU president Luther Mambala was commenting on the election of new leaders of Tum last Friday, which saw Willie Malimba becoming the new president of the teachers’ union.
“They are leaders, yes. But they are not bosses of the other teachers out there. They have got to work tirelessly to meet some of the demands teachers have. You may agree with me that teachers have a lot of problems at the moment,” Mambala said.
He added: “There have always been concerns over delays in receiving salaries. The issue of arrears is another problem. Therefore, the new leaders need to work hard with their membership to make sure that they address those issues.”
He also urged the government to look into the welfare of teachers in the country seriously.
Meanwhile Labour Commissioner, Hlalerwayo Nyangulu, has said labour unions are important.
“Labour unions are legally accepted in this country. They are important in the sense that in any issue, according to the International Labour Organisation, we are supposed to consult both the workers and the employers. The unions are the engines for productivity in the workplace. The government has a duty to ensure that their fundamental rights are protected,” Nyangulu said.
At the Tum’s 22nd Congress held in Lilongwe on Friday, the delegates also elected Brester Nyirenda and Rehema Haridi as first vice president and second vice president respectively.
Charles Kumchenga was elected secretary general, Douglas Kunsiya as deputy secretary general and Ernest Chirwa as treasurer general. His deputy is Elton Chauluka.
Malimba and Kumchenga replace Chauluka Muwake and Dennis Kalekeni respectively, who were ineligible to contest having served a maximum of two terms as per Tum’s constitution.
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