Shop owners of Indian and Chinese origin in Mzuzu city have fired over 40 employees following demonstrations the workers conducted on Monday.

The workers on Monday went on the street demanding a 50 percent salary hike and all the shops belonging to Indian and Chinese remained closed throughout the day.

The employees argued that two years ago they agreed with their employers that December every year their salaries will be going up but up to now nothing has been done on the matter.

Disgruntled workers presented their grievances through Malawi Congress of Trade Union offices in Mzuzu, conducted peaceful demonstrations in the street of Mzuzu.

In the petition, the workers argued that their friends in Blantyre and Lilongwe are paid better salaries than them and that they are ill-treated at times by their bosses.

In reaction to the strike, shop owners have fired over 40 workers believed to be ring-leaders.