Mzuzu City Council Operations Halt as Workers Strike Over 25% Salary Demand

Operations at Mzuzu City Council have been disrupted for the second consecutive day as workers continue their strike over a salary increase.

The workers are demanding a 25 percent salary adjustment, saying the increase is necessary to cushion them against the rising cost of living after going for three years without a salary review.

Mzuzu City Workers Union Vice Chairperson Phillip Tembo said workers are also unhappy with management’s decision to offer a 10 percent increase, which he said had previously been rejected.

Tembo said workers were earlier promised a 25 percent salary adjustment this year, making the latest offer a source of concern among employees.

“We are surprised that management has come back with the same 10 percent which we rejected previously. We were promised a 25 percent increment this year,” said Tembo.

He said the workers will remain on strike until their demand for a 25 percent salary increase is addressed.

Tembo said the prolonged absence of a salary review, coupled with rising prices of essential goods and services, has made it increasingly difficult for employees to meet their basic needs.

The strike has affected normal operations at the council, with several services disrupted as workers continue to press management over the disputed salary adjustment.

Efforts to obtain a comment from Mzuzu City Council management were unsuccessful, with officials saying they were not in a position to comment on the matter at this stage.