Friday, October 1, 2010

MBC workers threaten to down tools

BY WATIPASO MZUNGU JNR 

Workers at the public broadcaster, Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC), have issued an ultimatum demanding management to expedite the process of merger and normalize salaries for the staff the television station and radio or the broadcaster will witness a historic sit-in by October 20.

The ultimatum comes amidst fears and anxiety among staffers at MBC, which wants to reduce the number of staff the station. It was reporterd earlier that “the merged MBC will require about 450 staff, which will see some 320 employees being chopped if the restructuring exercise will see the light of day”.


Over 200 MBC workers from the radio sections met on September 16 this year where, among other things, people demanded management should effect the 15 percent salary increments, which they claim bosses have not shown signs of willingness to do four months into the 2010/11 financial year.

“People have reached a point of being bored. We’re tired of being cheated. Each time we ask for this money, we’re told to wait,” said our source who attended the meeting.

 “For how long shall we wait? Our fellow civil servants started receiving new salaries immediately the budget passed in Parliament. Why not us?”

The source further explained that the meeting was filled with emotions and fury as some people feel they have nothing to lose “since they’re already earmarked for dismissal because bosses consider them as sympathizers of opposition parties.”

Besides being denied new perks, the merged MBC workers’ remunerations continue to differ with those at the TV station receiving better salaries than those manning MBC radios 1 and 2.

“Our salaries remain pathetically low while our friends at Kwacha studios are enjoying life. So what is merger if we can’t receive same salaries? This is very unfair,” he grumbled.

A female staffer who did not want to be named claimed management was deliberately “ill-treating us so that whoever reacts should face the chop”.

“It’s like they don’t have a basis for dismissing some of us. Denial of new salaries is just one of those tactics being played to irritate us into action,” she said. “For example, how do you explain management decision to send other workers on indefinite leave and immediately employ new faces? What are they trying to achieve?”

Workers’ Union Vice President Peter Fote confirmed having convened the meeting where these issues were discussed at length.

Fote explained that the idea was to let members of staff voice out their concerns about the new developments taking place at the state-controlled broadcaster since the issue of merger came in.

He, however, dismissed reports that there was a threat of strike should management fail to meet their demands.

“The aim of their indaba was not to discredit their management, but rather to reach a consensus on how to approach the new developments at the station. Among others, one thing members of staff wanted to know is that of merger process. Workers feel there is an information gap on this issue. People would like to know when the process will be finalized,” he said.

 “They also expressed concern over failure by management to effect new salaries. The last one was to do with slogans,” he said.

On the slogans, Fote said workers were confused that the two stations (MBC tv and radios) were using two different slogans in their programme presentations. He explained that some members of staff do not understand why the TV station is using: Creating a world of possibilities as their slogan while the radio still sticking to its old one: To educate, entertain and inform.

“They say if we’re one, why are we still using different slogans? We’ve already handed over a copy these issues to our authorities,” Fote disclosed.

MBC Transition Committee chairperson Chimwemwe Banda declined to comment on the issue when contacted on Friday. Banda referred this reporter to Principal Secretary for Information and Civic Education, a Mr. Kalilangwe, whose phone could not be reached.

But Information Minister Symon Vuwa Kaunda expressed ignorance on the workers’ demands and ultimatum. Kaunda, however, asked for the workers’ patience, saying all their grievances regarding the merger were being addressed at the board level.

“The board is discussing. It remains government stand that members of staff are well taken care of. All we are asking for is their patience,” said Kaunda who refused to comment on salaries because “that falls outside our jurisdiction”.

“Our role is to advise them on technical issues. As for the salaries, those are administrative issues,” he said.
END

Bingu invited to attend World Peace prayers

BY WATIPASO MZUNGU JNR
Mutharika is crucial to peace-building process in Africa
President Bingu wa Mutharika, has been invited to attend a three-day International Meeting of Prayer for Peace to take place in Barcelona from tomorrow, Sunday 3—5. Mutharika has been invited in his capacity
as chairperson for African Union (AU).

Presidential Advisor on Religious Affairs, Rev. Billy Gama, confirmed about the invitation, but said Mutharika has failed to attend the meeting because “he is busy with other equally important activities outside Malawi”.

The prayer has been organized by a lay Catholic organization, Community of Sant’ Egidio under the theme: "Living together in a time of crisis. Family of peoples, family of God".

An executive member of the Community in the country, Francisco Zuze, said it was a tradition for the  ommunity to organize this type of prayers whose aim is to build peace among people of different races.

“The current obscure time of economic crises and regional conflicts giving uncertainty and fear, religions question themselves in order to build a dialogue carrying new spiritual energies to be offered to
world lacking visions therefore hope for the future,” said Zuze further explaining that the Community has been organising a pilgrimage of dialogue and peace in the last 25 years in a number of European and
Mediterranean cities.

“The prayers will centre on peace-building process, truce and reconciliation among warring parties. And in his capacity as AU chairperson, President Bingu wa Mutharika plays a crucial role in peace-building processes in African countries hence the invitation being extended to him,” he added.

Rev. Gama said yesterday that much as the president values the importance of prayer in peace-building among the people and nations, he (Mutharika) would not attend the meeting as he was already attending meetings in the US.

“Yes! I can confirm that the president was invited to attend this important meeting in Barcelona. However, the president will not make it because he is very busy with other schedules at the moment,” said
the advisor.

Mutharika has, instead, delegated Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Peter Mwanza, Deputy Minister in the Office of the President and Cabinet, Nicholas Dausi, Bishops emeritus Allan Chamgwera and
Felix Mkhori and Gama himself to represent him at the meeting, Rev. Gama said. However, Mkhori will not be part of the team as he is reportedly feeling unwell.

“The president thought we should represent him because this is a very important meeting. We can’t just let it go as a peace-loving country as well as AU chair,” he emphasized, adding: “The delegation is leaving today (yesterday) for the meeting.”

Zuze has indicated that lay cultural and political delegates from Latin America, Europe and Africa will be joining the dialogue to find new solutions and resolutions to enter a path leaving the global economic crises and the fighting against terrorism behind.

Also attending are Muslim and Jewish delegations from 16 countries and the major Asian religions representatives.
 END