Newly elected Mutharika vetoes Malawi ministers pay hike bid – country in the midst of economic crisis

Malawian President Peter Mutharika addresses the nation shortly after he was sworn into office, June 2, 2014. PHOTO/AFP

Newly elected Malawian President Peter Mutharika has vetoed a proposal to raise cabinet ministers’ pay, an official said Tuesday, amid austerity measures.

The cabinet secretary asked for a six-fold increase of the 20 ministers’ salaries to US$8,800 a month to cover the higher cost of living, according to presidential spokesman Frederick Ndala.

According to Ndala, Mutharika “finds it unethical to raise ministers’ salaries – when the cost of living is not only high for them, but for every Malawian.”

Mutharika, who came to power after defeating Joyce Banda in May elections, will prioritize “the improvement of living standards of civil servants,” Ndala added.

Ministers in Malawi earn US$3,500 per month which includes a base salary of US$1,500 and US$2,000 in other benefits.

The president’s salary of US$3,000 has been unchanged since 2009.

Malawi is weathering a severe economic crisis. Mutharika has appealed to the ministers and all administration officials to be “good leaders and lead by example” and forego the salary review as he has no intention of raising his salary any time soon.”

Source: AFP