Low pay worries drivers – The Times Group
By Tiyese Monjeza:
Drivers Association of Malawi (Dam) has lamented low pay and poor working conditions, saying they are negatively affecting the welfare of professional drivers in the country.
The association’s chairperson Harristone John Banda said the majority of professional drivers are paid less than K80,000 per month, which he described as insufficient in the wake of the rising cost of living.
He further said the association has been receiving complaints from its members, who lament the various forms of abuse they endure.
He has since called on the government to act on the concerns raised.
“Mostly, we are recording complaints from drivers that some directors in government departments and councils are opting to drive to meetings.
“They do this so that they can get the driver’s allowance and, at times, they use bogus drivers and then demand a large share from the bogus drivers,” Banda said.
Banda said the association has a membership of over 5,000 professional drivers.
Commissioner of Labour in the Ministry of Labour, Hlalerwayo Nyangulu, said they are yet to receive a formal complaint from the association.
He, however, acknowledged that some employers are offering drivers salaries that are below the set minimum wage.
He further hinted at the launch of the ministry’s investigations into claims that some government directors are duping drivers of allowances.
“The challenge has been that the affected drivers do not come out despite that we have the Pension Act— which we are enforcing to ensure that every employer adheres to employment laws,” Nyangulu said.
Nyangulu also urged drivers to be reporting employers who infringe on their rights to the ministry and district labour officers.
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