Three weeks ago, the Agricultural Technicians Union of Malawi (ATUM) threatened to go on strike if their grievances were not considered. The extension workers gave a 7 day ultimatum to have their requests considered and having heard nothing from the government, the workers marched.

Before the strike, the ATUM National general secretary, Isaac Kwisongole, was quoted to say that the concerns of the workers include mobility, salary arrears, promotions and lack of personal protective gear and risk allowances amid Covid 19 pandemic. “We have been writing and meeting ministry top brass putting our concerns on the table but yielded nothing,” said Kwisongole to Zodiak Online.

The strike follows many amidst the coronavirus pandemic, having similar grievances; health workers, game rangers, truck drivers and the Malawi Police have also made the same demands in the last two months.