The garment and textile industry is cashing in on local Malawian employees by paying low wages and providing substandard working conditions, complained Willard Gwengwe, Chairman of Parliamentary Committee on Commerce and Industry.
He said during the inspection carried out by a Committee, it was found that workers were paid less than minimum wages of K97 a day, stipulated by government.
Gwengwe added that workers were compelled to work in rooms under high temperature without any protective clothing.
He said that employees should not be underpaid even though the industry is affected due to declining export quotas under American trade initiative; Africa Growth Opportunity (AGOA).
Refuting the above allegations, Julian Mhone, Interim General Secretary of the Malawi Textile, Garment and Leather Industry Council argued that those blaming the sector knew nothing about positive changes taking place in the industry.
Joining the issue, a union of employers and employees of the textile, garment and leather industry said the sector was paying better wages than paid by government.
Mhone said the industry introduced a 15 percent pay rise in July; he added newcomer is paid K103 a day, K6 more than government wages, by the industry.
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