By Donald Zimba

Lilongwe, February 4, Mana: Minister of Labour, Vitumbiko Mumba, has directed Bishop McKenzie International School (BMIS) to reform key policies following concerns raised by employees regarding unfair labour practices.

During his visit to the institution on Monday, Mumba, alongside Secretary for Labour Chikondano Mussa and other government officials, held discussions with staff members to hear their grievances on working conditions.

 Among the major concerns raised were disparities in contracts between local and expatriate employees, lack of transparency in management decisions, and cases of unfair dismissal.

Workers raised concerns over unfair policies employees voiced frustrations over contract terms, alleging that local staff receive fewer benefits compared to their expatriate colleagues. They also decried the lack of career progression, with some holding the same positions for years without promotion.

Another key issue was the unilateral change of employment terms, with some workers claiming they were shifted from permanent to contract employment without consultation. Additionally, employees raised complaints about limited access to study leave and unfair termination of contracts.

Despite these concerns, Mumba praised BMIS for its approach to salary adjustments.

“We have had a fruitful discussion, and I want to inform the nation that we are impressed with some of the things happening here especially salary increments tied to inflation and devaluation. This is something we have not seen anywhere else,” he said.

Following the meeting, BMIS management assured the minister that they are revising policies to address staff concerns. They highlighted existing initiatives, including a mentorship program with Chancellor College and a career growth policy allowing employees to take salary advances for further studies.

Mumba, however, issued several directives to the school, including abolishing the existing health policy, which required annual medical tests for employees, as it was found to be inconsistent with labor laws.

“However, the new management has assured me that this policy is not in practice,” Mumba said.

Another directive was reducing the number of expatriate teachers, emphasizing that Malawi’s laws allow expatriates to work for a maximum of six years and must have a local understudy. BMIS currently employs 62 teachers, of which only seven are Malawian.

The minister also stated that his ministry will review all claims of unfair dismissals and ensure compliance with proper termination procedures.

Mumba reiterated the government’s commitment to protecting workers’ rights and ensuring fair labor practices across all sectors.

“We cannot talk about job creation when jobs meant for Malawians are being taken by foreigners. We will ensure all organizations, whether schools, NGOs, or private companies, comply with the law,” he warned.

The Ministry of Labour says it will continue monitoring BMIS and other institutions to ensure compliance with labor regulations and fair treatment of employees.