Low Wages for Malawians
All about Minimum Wage, Low Wages, Aalaries, Work and Working Conditions, Standards of Living and more on Mywage Malawi.
By Sam Banda Jnr
A survey carried out by the Centre for Social Concern (CfSC) in Malawi has revealed that some skilled Malawians, who possess a Malawi School Certificate of Education, are receiving pay as low as 3,000 to 7,000 Malawi Kwacha per month. The survey included randomly selected employees working as shop assistants and hairdressers in the three big cities of Mzuzu, Lilongwe and Blantyre. Many disclosed that they rely on this small monthly salary.
The Centre for Social Concern (CfSC) carries out research into the cost of living for people in Malawi and its vision is that every Malawian woman, man, girl, boy and child live a life of human dignity.
No Work, no Pay
CfSC, which is recognised by government, also revealed in a report the story of a man who has worked for 12 years as a shop attendant and still gets less than 5,000 Malawi Kwacha per month. At his workplace employees are not allowed to take a day off to attend a funeral, even it is that of their mother. If they do so, their wages will be deducted for each day they are away.
When the centre queried how he managed to support his family with such low pay, the shop assistant reported that he helps customers (privately) to carry such things as iron roofs or cement from the shop to their car/bus in exchange for a little cash.
According to CfSC, employers in the private sector in Malawi take advantage of the high unemployment rate which is forcing job seekers to accept anything that is on offer.
No Jobs so Low Pay
The Minimum Wage is also very low as it still stands at around MK3, 000 per month. All working women and men should be entitled to a Minimum Wage sufficient to provide for the necessities of life, the education of children and the support of ageing parents.
CfSC says a Minimum Wage, in other words, should be defined as enough money for a family to make a frugal but honourable living with one wage earner in the family.
- Here is a comparative table for wages in certain job categories:
Comparative Figures of Wages as of February 2010
(D) SOME COMPARATIVE FIGURES OF WAGES-- (NET PAY)
| Teacher (K) | Nurse (I) | Petrol/Diesel Attendant | Waiter in Local Restaurants | Shop Attendant | Security Guard in Private Firm | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly Wage | K15,422 - K17,203 |
K37,275 - K32,893 |
K7,000 - K10,000 |
K3,000 - K8,000 |
K5,000 - K10,000 |
K3,000 - K5,000 |
The Social Conditions Research Program of the Centre for Social Concern (CfSC) conducted surveys from 19th to 25th February 2010 in the cities of Blantyre, Zomba, Lilongwe and Mzuzu.
Mywage Malawi will continue to update you on changes.
