By Robert Kumwenda
The Malawi Congress of Trade Union (MCTU) has bemoaned the conduct of some employers who prevent their employees to join labour unions.
Project Coordinator for Trade Union Solidarity Project Ronald Mbewe made these remarks during the launch of the labour rights awareness activities through media in Blantyre.
He said some employers are preventing their employees to join labour unions even to form labour unions in their work places a thing which is preventing most workers to know their rights.
“The informal economy is where the majority of the work force works in. There are so many violations of labour rights which go un reported because people do not know where to report when their rights have been violated.
“Through the program we want to raise awareness about labour rights programmes not only in work places but even in homes of the workers,” he said.
He said workers should know where to find the Trade Union offices and where to take their grievances and other unions that fights for their rights.
Also speaking at the launch Frank Adin Principal Secretary Labour Officer in the ministry of labour said government is committed in the workers rights through various associations.
He said the programme will improve what the ministry is doing so that workers should know their rights.
Renowned human activists Ken Williams Mhango who the guest of honour at the launch said most managers in organizations take the issue of Trade Unions as for labourers.
He said small people in organizations are aware of their rights except the managers.
Mhang who is also President for Malawi Union for Informal Sector said most managers do not know that they too are workers.
“It is high time for managers to join labour unions because they will them when then they are fired to reclaim their benefits,” he said.
The main objective of the programme is to increase union membership to atleat five thousand in various trade unions thereby building strong unions and creating relations with stakeholders.
All unions are being targeted and the programme will run for twelve months.
The programme is being sponsored by Swedish Union for Service and Communications Employees (SEKO).
