Mumba demands better working conditions for tea pluckers

Blantyre, January 28, Mana: Minister of Labour, Vitumbiko Mumba has emphasized the need to improve working conditions for tea pluckers in Malawi’s tea estates.

Speaking during a labour inspection at Makandi Tea and Coffee Estate, Mumba said the ministry had received numerous complaints from workers about poor working conditions.

“From what we have observed, including labourers working without any personal protective equipment (PPE), it is evident how inconsiderate many administrations are towards their subordinates. Similar problems were observed yesterday at Kawalazi Estate,” he said.

During interactions with workers at the estate, most of them shared various challenges they face in their daily tasks. During the tour, Mumba also inspected the weighing scales used at the estate to verify compliance with Malawi Bureau of Standards (MBS) regulations.

Mumba criticized the lack of consultation with workers on operational matters at the union level, describing the situation as both deplorable and unacceptable.

However, during the meeting with the estate’s administration, the Minister demanded that workers’ representatives be included in such discussions.

He also emphasized that the administration must adhere to Malawi’s Labour Laws, instead of focusing solely on international regulations, which are often, economically motivated. He urged management of the estate to treat workers with dignity and humanity.

Some of the challenges that workers lamented included the lack of toilets within a 50 km radius. Moreover, the workers also cited long working hours exceeding 10 hours per day, low wages of K3, 460 per 60 kg harvested daily and K89,000 per month instead of the minimum K90,000, with no overtime pay.

In his reaction, Mumba detested the working conditions, describing some as reflecting ‘human indecency,’ emphasizing that organization must prioritize human dignity and comply with Malawi’s Labour Laws.

“There is an urgent need for improvement as these conditions portray a negative image of both the government and the country’s working environment,” he said.

Upon further inspection, Mumba issued a prohibition order for site number 17A of the estate, temporarily shutting it down. The site will be re-inspected after seven days to assess whether improvements have been made before reopening.

Meanwhile, Mumba has disclosed that a meeting would be held on Wednesday in Lilongwe between the Ministry of Labour, the Tea Association of Malawi and tea estate managers to discuss strategies for addressing poor working conditions in the tea sector.

However, he emphasized that estate managers must take responsibility for monitoring and improving conditions in their estates instead of waiting for government inspections, noting that improving working conditions could boost the productivity and marketability of the product, considering that tea is one of Malawi's leading crop exports.

In an interview with the Malawi News Agency (Mana), Finance Manager, Sangwani Hara acknowledged some of the challenges presented by workers. However, he stated that the estate complies with the minimum wage of K90, 000 contrary to the workers’ claims.

On PPE, Hara explained that the use of gumboots is not standard for workers as they are only required in irrigation areas. “Shoes are not a necessity for them in the tea estate,” he claimed.

Management of the estate has since promised to address the workers’ concerns and make improvements where appropriate.

Hara also noted that tea estates are struggling with declining global tea prices, which have negatively affected the estates’ financial stability.