The Human Right Defenders Coalition (HRDC) has condemned calls calls for Covid-19 risk allowances from teachers championed by their mother body Teachers Union of Malawi (TUM).

Teachers have embarked on national wide strike with an aim of forcing the Tonse Alliance government led by Dr. Lazarus Chakwera to offer them risk allowances.

The strike which is in its second day today has seen learners in public schools to remain home.

Speaking during a media briefing in the capital Lilongwe HRDC Senior Member Reverend MacDonald Sembereka said the call by teachers is a nonstarter.

He said the best is to push for salary increment and not payment of allowance which he said , ” is a short term benefit ”

Sembereka further called on government and Prophet Shepherd Bushiri to immediately resolve a matter in which Bushiri’s child is supposed to seek medical treatment abroad.