13,000 security workers in Malawi, Africa have finally achieved recogition of their union, according to an announcement by Grace Nyirenda, General Secretary of the Malawi Textile, Garment, Leather and Security Services Workers Union. The recognition agreement with the London-based global security corporation G4S was signed on July 9 at the company’s head office in Malawi. A Ministry of Labour official, management of G4S, workers representatives of G4S and union representatives attended the meeting.
“This is just the beginning of better things to come,” Nyirenda said in a message to security service workers elsewhere in Africa, and around the world who joined in supporting the workers in Malawi.”
“This agreement came at a right time when the campaign against this company is intensifying on a global level, “ said Jackson Simon, spokesperson for SATAWU, the South African union that represents security officers.
In December, UNI complained to the UK government that the company's failure to recognise the union in Malawi - as well its failure to pay proper overtime or to allow leave- violated the OECD Guidelines for Multi-national Enterprises.
In May, a UNI sponsored fact-finding delegation of trade unionists, human rights activists and international labour rights scholars traveled to southern Africa where they met with G4S workers in Malawi, South Africa and Mozambique. The fact-finding team found serious and ongoing violations of labour laws concerning overtime and time off as well as behaviour that consigned the workers to a hand-to-mouth existence.
Guards salaries are so low in Malawi that they are forced to live in some of the area’s poorest housing and guards reported that they are not allowed to take paid leave. One guard reported that he had worked an entire year with only a single paid day off which he took to attend a funeral.
UNI spokesperson Christy Hoffman said, “This is a great testament to the power of global solidarity. The next step is the
negotiations for a collective agreement to improve conditions and put more money in people's pockets.”
The Alliance for Justice at G4S, created by UNI Property Services, is bringing together G4S workers and their unions from across the globe to win a better future for security workers.
Thursday, 12 July 2007
Mutharika issues directive for Muluzi arrest
Malawi President Bingu wa Mutharika fulfilling his promise to deal with his political mentor Dr Bakili Muluzi "decisively" using “state instruments” has issued an arrest directive, a senior police officer has revealed.
A senior police officer at Southern Region Police Headquarters in Blantyre, has told Nyasa Times that Mutharika made the directive on July 8, two days after the opposition boycotted the 43rd Independence celebrations at the Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre.
“On July 8, the President held a meeting with his inner circle ministers and some senior Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) party officials where they discussed Nicholas Dausi defection from Malawi Congress Party.
“After that meeting he (Mutharika) met some senior police officers where he issued the directive to arrest former State President Muluzi two weeks after his arrival from the United Kingdom where he is on holiday.
“Right now Muluzi’s movement are closely being monitored and I am aware of two charges that have already been prepared; one on corruption and the other on Section 65,” the source said.
However, United Democratic Front (UDF) spokesperson Sam Mpasu could not be reached on his phone for comment.
But Kamlepo Kalua, leader of the Malawi Democratic Party (MDP) claimed to have heard Mutharika’s intention.
“Yes, I have heard from highly placed security sources about Mutharika’s intention to arrest the UDF national chairman when he returns from United Kingdom. We hear there are a number of the trumped up charges against him just to banish and silence him.
“But that is very bad, in such a political situation like what Malawi is going through at the moment, it is unfair to be practicing politics of vengeance and retribution,” Kalua explained.
Government spokesperson Patricia Kaliati rubbished the claims saying they were baseless and spread by people who do not feel good to see Muluzi and Mutharika sharing feelings.
“My friend that is nonsense, those are Muluzi people whipping up false stories, we know them. Let me ask the UDF national chairman not to live in fear but if indeed, he did something wrong he will not be spared,” said Kaliati.
During his recent speeches, Mutharika has exploded in his attack on Muluzi citing corruption, Section 65, impeachment, First Lady illness news leakage, among others.
Muluzi was once arrested in 2006 by the Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) acting on directives from above. However, the charges were dismissed by the then Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Ishamail Wadi. The development stirred political tension in the country and saw Mutharika firing the directors of the two respected institutions.
A senior police officer at Southern Region Police Headquarters in Blantyre, has told Nyasa Times that Mutharika made the directive on July 8, two days after the opposition boycotted the 43rd Independence celebrations at the Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre.
“On July 8, the President held a meeting with his inner circle ministers and some senior Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) party officials where they discussed Nicholas Dausi defection from Malawi Congress Party.
“After that meeting he (Mutharika) met some senior police officers where he issued the directive to arrest former State President Muluzi two weeks after his arrival from the United Kingdom where he is on holiday.
“Right now Muluzi’s movement are closely being monitored and I am aware of two charges that have already been prepared; one on corruption and the other on Section 65,” the source said.
However, United Democratic Front (UDF) spokesperson Sam Mpasu could not be reached on his phone for comment.
But Kamlepo Kalua, leader of the Malawi Democratic Party (MDP) claimed to have heard Mutharika’s intention.
“Yes, I have heard from highly placed security sources about Mutharika’s intention to arrest the UDF national chairman when he returns from United Kingdom. We hear there are a number of the trumped up charges against him just to banish and silence him.
“But that is very bad, in such a political situation like what Malawi is going through at the moment, it is unfair to be practicing politics of vengeance and retribution,” Kalua explained.
Government spokesperson Patricia Kaliati rubbished the claims saying they were baseless and spread by people who do not feel good to see Muluzi and Mutharika sharing feelings.
“My friend that is nonsense, those are Muluzi people whipping up false stories, we know them. Let me ask the UDF national chairman not to live in fear but if indeed, he did something wrong he will not be spared,” said Kaliati.
During his recent speeches, Mutharika has exploded in his attack on Muluzi citing corruption, Section 65, impeachment, First Lady illness news leakage, among others.
Muluzi was once arrested in 2006 by the Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) acting on directives from above. However, the charges were dismissed by the then Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Ishamail Wadi. The development stirred political tension in the country and saw Mutharika firing the directors of the two respected institutions.
Drumming up support to ensure church CD helps Malawi orphans
A GENEROUS sponsor is needed to help an East Kilbride church make sweet music in Africa.
The congregation and organisations attached to the West Kirk in the Village are planning to make a CD to mark the 60th anniversary of East Kilbride’s designation as a new town. And they will use the money they raise to help villagers in Malawi.
The plan is to raise up to £5000 to build a clinic in Kapnda Village, refurbish the local school and, excitingly, create a farm with cows, goats and chickens. Currently, about 480 orphans live in the village.
They are being looked after by the minister and villagers and it is hoped that the farm will make them self-sufficient for food and give them an income through selling their surplus to Kamuzu College of Nursing, who will buy it for its students.
The principal of the college has already pledged that she will give them a contract for this, and an additional benefit will be that her students will be carrying out work in the village and, hopefully, will be bringing health benefits to the orphans as well as the mums and babies living there.
Work on the CD, which includes a selection of Christmas carols sung by members of the West Kirk congregation, the Boys’ Brigade, Girls’ Brigade, Guides, Brownies, choir and other church organisations, is well underway.
It is hoped 500 copies will be available for sale, priced £10 each, in the autumn.
However, so that every penny raised by the sale of the CD can go to the African project, the church is hoping a sponsor — or sponsors — will help them with the cost of licensing, producing and printing the CD. This is expected to be, in total, about £1000.
Lorna Sankey, a spokeswoman for the congregation, said: “We think the project in Kapnda Village is a very worthwhile one.
“It will make a huge difference to the people living there.
“We hope there are companies or other organisations out there who will agree with us and will help us raise the cash to make it possible by sponsoring some or all of the CD production costs.
“Anyone who does will have their contribution acknowledged on the CD cover.”
Any company or organisation willing to help can contact Lorna on East Kilbride 571479.
The congregation and organisations attached to the West Kirk in the Village are planning to make a CD to mark the 60th anniversary of East Kilbride’s designation as a new town. And they will use the money they raise to help villagers in Malawi.
The plan is to raise up to £5000 to build a clinic in Kapnda Village, refurbish the local school and, excitingly, create a farm with cows, goats and chickens. Currently, about 480 orphans live in the village.
They are being looked after by the minister and villagers and it is hoped that the farm will make them self-sufficient for food and give them an income through selling their surplus to Kamuzu College of Nursing, who will buy it for its students.
The principal of the college has already pledged that she will give them a contract for this, and an additional benefit will be that her students will be carrying out work in the village and, hopefully, will be bringing health benefits to the orphans as well as the mums and babies living there.
Work on the CD, which includes a selection of Christmas carols sung by members of the West Kirk congregation, the Boys’ Brigade, Girls’ Brigade, Guides, Brownies, choir and other church organisations, is well underway.
It is hoped 500 copies will be available for sale, priced £10 each, in the autumn.
However, so that every penny raised by the sale of the CD can go to the African project, the church is hoping a sponsor — or sponsors — will help them with the cost of licensing, producing and printing the CD. This is expected to be, in total, about £1000.
Lorna Sankey, a spokeswoman for the congregation, said: “We think the project in Kapnda Village is a very worthwhile one.
“It will make a huge difference to the people living there.
“We hope there are companies or other organisations out there who will agree with us and will help us raise the cash to make it possible by sponsoring some or all of the CD production costs.
“Anyone who does will have their contribution acknowledged on the CD cover.”
Any company or organisation willing to help can contact Lorna on East Kilbride 571479.
Malawian Grain Flows To Zimbabwe, But More Needed To Cover Shortfall
Months after reaching agreement with Harare, Malawi is finally beginning the export of 400,000 metric tonnes of maize worth some $120 million to Zimbabwe.
Malawian Deputy Agriculture Minister Binto Kutsaira said some 90,000 tons have been shipped amid controversy in Lilongwe over the payment terms extended to Harare.
Kutsaira declined to disclose where Zimbabwe was obtaining the funds for the grain deal, but other sources said some of the funding may be coming from the Eastern and Southern African Trade and Development Bank, better known as PTA Bank. Malawi meanwhile has extended Harare a US$10 million working line of credit.
The full consignment is expected to be delivered over the next six months. The Malawi government has stated that its bumper 2007 harvest allowed it to export the grain.
Malawian Principal Secretary of Agriculture and Food Security Patrick Kabambe told reporter Patience Rusere of VOA's Studio 7 for Zimbabwe that Malawi has confidence in Zimbabwe's ability to pay - but exports will be stopped if Harare falls behind.
Despite the Malawian supplies, Deputy Director Nyika Musiyazvirivo of Christian Care, one of the World Food Program's main implementing partners in the distribution of aid to the country, said the infusion would not cover Zimbabwe's grain-supply shortfall.
Malawian Deputy Agriculture Minister Binto Kutsaira said some 90,000 tons have been shipped amid controversy in Lilongwe over the payment terms extended to Harare.
Kutsaira declined to disclose where Zimbabwe was obtaining the funds for the grain deal, but other sources said some of the funding may be coming from the Eastern and Southern African Trade and Development Bank, better known as PTA Bank. Malawi meanwhile has extended Harare a US$10 million working line of credit.
The full consignment is expected to be delivered over the next six months. The Malawi government has stated that its bumper 2007 harvest allowed it to export the grain.
Malawian Principal Secretary of Agriculture and Food Security Patrick Kabambe told reporter Patience Rusere of VOA's Studio 7 for Zimbabwe that Malawi has confidence in Zimbabwe's ability to pay - but exports will be stopped if Harare falls behind.
Despite the Malawian supplies, Deputy Director Nyika Musiyazvirivo of Christian Care, one of the World Food Program's main implementing partners in the distribution of aid to the country, said the infusion would not cover Zimbabwe's grain-supply shortfall.
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