By Dorica Mtenje

LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-Malawi’s Parliamentary Committee on Social Welfare on Thursday, December 23, 2021 gave three months ultimatum to two major stores in the country Sana and Wulian to work on workers rights.

Chairperson for the committee, Savel Kafwafwa made the demand after hearing the grievances from the workers during a day tour.

Kafwafwa started the tour with Wulian where they found out that workers rights are being infringed as their is no annual leave for the workers, equal salary for the old and new comers regardless of the period worked for absence of sick leave and no proper contract agreement and the committee was dismayed.

He said the committee has observed that the companies are just sticking to the minimum wage regardless of them working with the company for long time.

“Sana are better off in some aspects than other shops and the committee was impressed as they are able to carter for their workers in both funeral and annual leaves,” said Kafwafwa

He said the committee will engage the umbrellas of both Indians business communities as well as Chinese community to address the issues at hand as they seem to have the same trains according to the national background.

He said the shops should have an inclusive of persons with disability in line with the labour laws.

He therefore said the labour office is answerable for the workers rights at hand.

Concurring with the Chair Senior Labour officer in the Ministry of labour, George Chilonga said as a ministry has taken note of the observation of the committee and will look forward to engage the the umbrellas that are looking for both Indians and Chinese business communities to work on labours rights that are in question.

Chilongo has asked the all the shop owners to work hand in hand with the ministry officials.

Meanwhile the committee is set to invite the Indian business communities to Parliament to get answers to the segligation of payment between Malawians and Indians.

Sana owns shops across the country and employed 800 workers while Wulian is found almost each and every district.