PSC Blame Govt On Parliamentary Staff Strike

PSC Blame Govt On Parliamentary Staff Strike

Striking worker carrying banner of 24% pay

The Parliamentary Service Commission (PSC) has accused ”The Executive” for being not serious with views of the National Assembly representatives when Parliamentary Staff were demanding 24% salary hike.

The report of the PSC to Parliament on the Parliamentary Staff strike staged from February 3rd and 4th, 2015, has concluded that during negotiations on the matter, Government did not take seriously the grievances presented by the Parliamentary Staff representatives a development which led to the strike of workers.

“It was noted that even after being told of the serious challenges that Parliamentary Staff endure, they were not ready to offer solutions” claims the report presented on Thursday evening by Lilongwe Msozi South, Commissioner Hon. Vitus Dzoole Mwale.

“All what they were propagating was the issue of salary harmonization. This is what annoyed parliamentary Staff when communicated of the outcome the meeting because they felt that the issue of salary harmonization is being done against the prevailing Laws of Malawi; namely Parliamentary Service Act, which establishes the Service under an own Commission” 

The Commission has therefore recommended government the importance of attaching seriousness to discussions if strikes of such nature are to be avoided

“In future” whenever there are issues to be discussed between the two parties, PSC said Parliament is of the view that commitment to dialogue is the only way to go to prevent the situations escalating into strikes thereby disturbing Government Business.

The Parliamentary Commission is the body corporate that is mandated to look into the Conditions of Service for Members of Staff backed by Section 20 of the Parliamentary Service Act No. 35 of 1998. Current membership is chaired by Speaker of National Assembly Hon. Richard Msowoya and has other four members 

Negotiations for pay rise for the Parliamentary Staff began in 2014 when workers realized that their Conditions of Service were last revised in 2001. Parliamentary Service Commission determined a 24% salary increment and a letter was send to Department of Human Resources Management and Development on 12th November 2014 to effect the implementation of the salary increment as approved by the Commission.

However Government made an offer reflecting an average of 6% increment which the Parliamentary Staff Union categorically refused to accept. Then negotiations were held for so many times until Government on 2nd February 2015, approved an average increment of 18%, an offer which was also rebuffed by the Union consequently resolved to proceed with the strike until 24% was given.

On 4th February 2015, Government rescinded its earlier decision and committed to give Parliamentary Staff an increment of 24% in phases where phase one government will be paying 18%. The remaining 6% will be paid in arrears during next budget year in July and the matter was put on writing by the Deputy Chief Secretary to the Government Mr. Willie Samute.