LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)- Malawi’s Finance, Economic Planning and Development Minister Goodall Gondwe, strongly snubbed the Members of Parliament (MPs) request for a 70 percent pay hike.

Gondwe argued that the Treasury was too broke to meet the lawmakers’ demands, considering the economic turmoil the nation is facing.

The Finance Minister therefore disclosed that legislators will get a 10 % pay hike like any other civil servants.

The MP demands comes barely a two weeks after the National Assembly passed the 2017/2018 fiscal plan whose wage bill is higher than was anticipated.

“Government doesn’t have money to meet such demands. The country is currently going through economic challenges. MPs will get 10% pay rise like any other civil servant,” said Gondwe.

Social-economic commentators have questioned the timing of the MPs demands, particularly in view of the abject poverty prevalent in Malawi.

The pay hike demands are being made despite the lawmakers taking home over MK1 million, 500 litres of fuel, and MK50,000 sitting allowance per day when the National Assembly is in session or Parliamentary committees. Meetings.

The Ministry of Local Government has, meanwhile approved a 25 percent salary increment demand by the Lilongwe City Council employees. The the pay will be released next week.