MCTU add their support to the 20 July CivSoc Demonstrations

Below is a press release from MCTU in support of the Demonstrations by Civil Society scheduled to take place tomorrow on the 20th July 2011. In this Press Release they have justified the reason for this decision.


PRESS ISSUE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Dated: 18th July, 2011

MALAWI CONGRESS OF TRADE UNIONS (MCTU), a federation of 22 trade unions in Malawi which represent workers in all sectors of the economy, is hereby calling all workers in Malawi to join the civil society organizations and the noble citizens of Malawi in the peaceful demonstrations nationwide scheduled for the Wednesday 20th of July 2011.

The participation of workers in the peaceful demonstrations is of their constitutional right as members of the general public to express deep concerns regarding the socio-economic crisis facing Malawi ie Chronic fuel and forex shortages; Unilaterally hatched Zero deficit budget; Lack of good governance; infringements of human rights; Worsening of diplomatic relations etc. All these have had a bearing on the welfare of the workers and the general public at large in a number of ways which include:

• Declining of productivity due to acute shortages of fuel and forex for the private sector. This is compelling the private sector to lay off or retrench workers.
• Introduction of Value Added Tax (VAT) under the unilaterally hatched Zero Deficit Budget has resulted into the price hikes thereby eroding the purchasing power of workers and the general public.
• Ordinary citizens and the private sector have been severely sanctioned with taxes and fee hikes for public services amidst the withholding of aid by some development partners in light of critical human rights and good governance issues.

We have issued various statements to the government to express workers’ views and concerns on the above mentioned issues and other related matters. It is very unfortunate that as of late the Executive and other branches of government have failed to listen to the voices of reason from the civil society, workers through MCTU and other key stakeholders. This then justifies the need for all workers across the country to participate in the peaceful demonstrations to express our points of views to the government as enshrined in the Republican Constitution.

All workers and noble citizens are asked to converge at the Community Centre ground in Lilongwe; Kamuzu Upper Stadium in Blantyre; and Katoto Freedom park in Mzuzu in the morning, and then march together to the City Assemblies to present the official statement of concerns. There are also demonstrations which will take place in all the districts country wide.

To this effect, Malawi Congress of Trade Unions (MCTU) humbly requests employers across the country to allow their employees willing to participate in the scheduled demonstrations to be excused for a few hours in order for the workers to dully exercise their constitutional right.


SOLIDARITY FOR EVER AND EVER!

Signed

ROBERT MKWEZALAMBA
SECRETARY GENERAL