The Maravi Post

BLANTYRE—Key donors under the Common Approach to Budget Support (Cabs) have faulted President Joyce Banda’s administration on large payouts in compensation to public officers whose contracts were prematurely terminated by her government.

Speaking during the second Cabs review meeting Wednesday in Lilongwe, the donors described the payouts as unjustified considering the current economic hardships the country is facing.

“There are large payouts to individuals, in terms of ‘golden parachutes’. This cannot be justified in the current economic climate and sends messages that while many are suffering, a lucky few are able to gain and even prosper,” said Peter Woeste, Cabs co-chairperson.

In his speech titled “Being Responsible”, Woeste further said, “Naturally this large pay outs causes resentment and dissatisfaction and undermines the efforts of government to handle the economic crisis.

He also observed that the much needed public support for the indispensable economic reforms has decreased in recent months with the feeling of the population that the burden of economic reforms is not equally shared.

After assuming power following the death of Pres Bingu wa Mutharika in April last year, Pres Banda's government fired many people with close ties to the former regime and they’ve been collecting huge sums from the taxpayer.
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(c) The Maravi Post 2013

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