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A former security guard in Mangochi District, Jonasi Bisiwick, has been awarded MK4 million in compensation for salary underpayment, gratuity, and severance pay.
Bisiwick, who worked as a security guard for Patuma Kabaisa of Asante Investment until January 2025, was earning a monthly salary of MK20,000, well below the gazetted monthly minimum wage of MK50,000 in 2020 and MK75,000 in 2021.
The former guard, after the termination of his contract on 13th January, 2025, lodged a complaint at the Machinga District Labour Office citing gross underpayment of wages.
The Respondent was uncooperative and the matter was therefore referred to the Legal Aid Bureau (LAB) for legal action.
Bisiwick was claiming MK4,620,000.00 for underpayment, gratuity and severance pay, and Inflation adjustments on the underpayment.
In its intervention, LAB through the services of Zomba-based Senior Legal Aid Advocate Faith Sumani, with assistance from Machinga-based Legal Aid Officer Chifundo Lungu, engaged the Industrial Relations Court (IRC).
This was through the drafting and sending of a demand letter to the Respondent, giving them seven days to respond. When the Respondent failed to respond in time, IRC Form 1 was filed and duly endorsed by the Industrial Relations Court and also served on the Respondent.
Following the service, the Respondent expressed willingness to settle the matter out of Court.
“After negotiations facilitated by the Legal Aid Bureau, the Respondent agreed to pay the Applicant MK4,000,000.00 in full and final settlement of all claims relating to underpayment and related benefits,” explained Counsel Sumani.
Since the agreement, payments have been consistent and will continue until the full amount is settled.
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