President Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika has asked Civil Servant across the country to desist from a tendency of calling for industrial strikes over pay hike, saying if they want salary increment they should switch to the private sector.

Mutharika said this at Kamuzu Palace on Thursday when he was addressing the press on his recent trip to the United Nation General Assembly (UNGA).

In his speech, Mutharika who looked so angry said working for government department is a sacrifice.

“This business of putting deadlines on the government [for pay hikes] must stop. Let’s show some respect to this government. This nonsense has got to stop. This government was elected by the people.

“If you strike you are hurting your country, you are not hurting me,” said Mutharika.

Turning to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) decision to suspend Malawi for failing to cut its wage bill and improve revenue collection, Mutharika said he predicted all this way back.

“I said it in April that if we are not careful with how we are spending, we will go off track. I hope you now believe me,” said Mutharika.

Mutharika attributed all the challenges the country is facing now to the former ruling People’s Party (PP) under Dr. Joyce Banda.

“People are saying a lot of things. I am the first President to run this country without donor support,” said Mutharika.

Donors withdrew their 40 percent contribution to the recurrent budget in October 2013 amid concerns of Cashgate, the plunder of public funds at Capital Hill.