By Wezzie Gausi:
The Civil Servants Trade Union (CSTU) has described the newly announced minimum wage adjustments as insufficient, saying the increments do not match the rising cost of living in the country.
CSTU president Lameck Magawa said that although the revised wages were a positive step, they would not significantly improve workers’ lives amid the current economic challenges.
“I think it is a good development but not enough. If we look at the cost of living nowadays, that highest package of over K400,000 for truck drivers is not enough,” Magawa said.
He also criticised the revised wage structure for commercial workers, arguing that the increase was too low to make a meaningful difference.
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“When we look at the commercial workers’ package of K157,500, it is just an assault,” he said.
Magawa further said the government should have first considered reducing taxes for both employers and workers before implementing the new wage adjustments.
“The best thing government could have done was to reduce taxes on employers and revise [Pay as You Earn] for employees before coming up with these new rates,” he said.
The Ministry of Labour, Skills and Innovation recently announced revised minimum wage rates that will take effect from June 1, 2026.
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Under the new structure, domestic workers will earn a minimum wage of K83,720 per month, up from K72,800.
Commercial workers’ wages have increased from K126,000 to K157,500, while workers in micro and small enterprises will now receive K131,250, up from K105,000.
The adjustments come at a time when Malawi is grappling with high inflation, rising food prices, foreign exchange shortages and increasing transport costs, factors that continue to weaken workers’ purchasing power.
Labour unions and workers’ rights groups have in recent years been pushing for wage reviews that reflect the rising cost of living, arguing that many workers are unable to meet basic needs such as food, transport and housing.
Economic analysts have also warned that inflation continues to outpace wage growth, leaving many workers struggling despite periodic salary adjustments.
