Pres Mutharika Pleads With Parliamentary Striking Workers; Back to Work Pending Ongoing Negotiations

Pres Mutharika Pleads With Parliamentary Striking Workers; Back to Work Pending Ongoing Negotiations

President Professor Peter Mutharika has expressed hope that the solution will soon be reached on the demands being made by the striking staff at the National Assembly.

National Assembly staff have began their strike on Tuesday morning demanding 24% pay increment as was approved by the Parliamentary Service Commission 

Speaking at a press conference held at Kamuzu Palace on Tuesday evening where he was informing the media about his trip to Addis Ababa, for the 24th Session of the Summit of the African Union, president Mutharika said as negotiations continue on the staff demands there is need for all workers to go back to work pending on going discussions.

President Mutharika said he is well informed that the Parliament workers were offered similar pay hike just like all other workers in civil service for example he said "a Clerk of Parliament would get similar salary just like any other PS (Principle Secretary)" in any other Government  Ministry is getting.

The President also indicated that in the morning of Tuesday he sent a message to the speaker that it is important that the workers go back to work as government and team from National Assembly continues with discussions. Mutharuka also expressed hope that the ongoing negotiations will be in good faith but repeated that just like all other workers in civil service, offer made previously by government to parliament workers was normal as government continue with the process of salary harmonisation.

However, President for the Parliamentary Staff Union Leonard Tilingamawa said they will end their strike only if the Treasury will bow to their demands.