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Support for Malawian security guards
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Name: . Organisation: . Email address:
. Please type your email message here, or adapt this one: Dear Mr. Katsonga, I have received information that, in Malawi, the law creates an exception which excuses employers from paying premium overtime compensation to security guards. According to the Malawi Congress of Trade Unions, this provision was pushed through the legislature following extensive lobbying by the multinational security services company G4S. It seems that the company has used its economic power as one of the largest employers in your country to pressure the government to violate its own international human rights obligations. Most guards in Malawi earn the equivalent of USD25-30 per day for a 12-hour shift. This means that they are unable to properly feed their families, educate their children and provide for other necessities, despite working a 72 hour week. Underpayment of overtime, due to the law described above, denies many workers 25-30% of their rightful pay. Economic development and the creation of employment should be the means by which developing economies grow and build the capacity to better meet the needs of their people. However, if workers do not have access to decent working conditions and earn wages which are insufficient to meet basic needs, these broader social goals will not be met. We urge your government to amend Malawian legislation in order to protect the interests of workers in the security industry, their famillies and their communities. Yours sincerely

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