Presenting the full 2019/20 National Budget, the Minister of Finance, Joseph Mwanamvekha, outlined how K1.7 trillion was going to be spent in the next financial year. Among others, the living wage was increased to K35,000 per month, translated from K962 per day to K1, 346 per day, to which the Employers Consultative Association of Malawi (Ecam) has expressed fears of potential jobs losses due to the increment.

Ecam executive director George Khakhi told The Nation newspaper that the 40% increment is a struggle for employers to pay, which may result to retrenchment of employees while others may shift to automation to minimise production costs, thereby impacting on jobs.

On the other hand, the Malawi Congress of Trade Union (MCTU) told The Daily Times newspaper that what was initially proposed was K70,000 which was halved down to K35,000. MCTU General Secretary, Denis Kalekeni, said the law empowers the minister to consult Employers Consultative Association of Malawi (Ecam) and MCTU, which was done but the minister did not meet the requirements by both firms.

Overall, the Malawi Confederation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (MCCCI) faulted the proposed 2019/20, stating that the presentation by the Finance Minister, painted a rosy picture, yet the business environment is hostile. In its 2019/20 National Budget Analysis, MCCCI chief executive officer Chancellor Kaferapanjira observed that while there have been a few positive tax policy measures, overall, there are more punitive measures than positive ones.