Fuel Shortage causes problems

Malawi has been hit by a bad fuel shortage in 2011. Mywage spoke to workers in the cities of Blantyre and Lilongwe who have been affected by the crisis.

James Ndalama – Guard

He is 36 years old. He lives in Lilongwe. The fuel shortage has affected him in that he has had to adjust his budget, especially regarding transport, due to minibuses changing their fees.

Bob Chitseko – Accountant

He is 40 years old. He lives in Blantyre. He has had to adjust his budget because the fuel shortage has raised the price of commodities. With things going up, he says his salary is still the same but he has had to pay for more expensive commodities. 

Greenwell Phiri – Houseboy

He is 25 years old. He lives in Blantyre. He used to work as a houseboy, but no longer, as his employer told him he could not afford to pay him due to the current fuel problem. The employer has promised to hold the job until things get stable. 

Esther Msowoya – Clerk

She is 30 years and lives in Lilongwe. She says it is difficult, with the fuel shortages to report work on time, and that often she is late. She says even the bosses are rarely in their offices as they are out looking for fuel, hence productivity is low.

Conclusion

The fuel shortage has forced many workers to walk to work. The shortage has not only affected workers but also employers, who have had productivity cut, leading to retrenchments.

Read more

Read more about the Minimum Wages in Malawi.