The Centre for Democracy and Development Initiatives (CDEDI) has cautioned President Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera and his Tonse Alliance administration that they are always shooting themselves in the foot with their appetite for secrecy leads to speculations some of which may be harmful to the country.
The CDEDI Says its worry is not about the war in Israel but the security and welfare of the people when minds are still agonizing over government’s failure to rescue scores of the country’s young women stuck in slavery in Oman following a similar attempt on labour export.
The organization says it is dismayed at the way Government has conducted itself in the purported labour export to Israel demanding an explanation and justification on the identification of beneficiaries and that it should provide Malawians with proof of assurance of the welfare of the people during their stay in Israel.
In a statement dated 27th November, 2023 signed by its Executive Director Sylvester Namiwa, the CDEDI says much as it is commendable for government to find something from which Malawians can earn a better living anywhere in the world, such initiatives will always betray government’s intention if they are transacted in secrecy compounded by conflicting information from Government.
The CDEDI says while it is appreciating the worrying level of unemployment in the country, and welcome any opportunity for labour export, it is demanding Government to explain the rationale of being excited about exporting labour at a time the country is thinking about establishing mega farms to bail out the country’s ailing economy.
The organization says Government should explain the resistance to allow medical personnel and primary school teachers that it is failing to employ after successfully undergone their training to go and work elsewhere as this is also labour export.
It says had it not for the Leader of Opposition Kondwani Nankhumwa hinting on the secret labour export to Israel, most Malawians would not have heard about it, only those whose relations have benefited would have been privy to such information.
“The attempt by the Leader of the House Richard Chimwendo Banda and Speaker Catherine Gotani-Hara to sweep the matter under the carpet after Nankhumwa brought it up in the House, is what should worry all Malawians,” reads the statement in part.
The CDEDI says the statements of both Chimwendo Banda and Gotani-Hara has exposed both of them as people who cannot be trusted with matters of national interest demanding the two gentle persons to apologize to Malawians for taking them for granted.