Truck drivers reject govt salary hike, press for strike continuation

Disagreement has ensued between truck drivers and its leadership with many rejecting government decision to hike their salaries by 100 percent.

On Monday truck drivers embarked on national wide strike to force the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) led government to hike their salaries by not less than Mk300, 000 to be at par with SADC region truck drivers.

The truck drivers argued that their current salary of MK25, 000 as minimum wage is too low hence the strike.

The development forced Minister of Transport and Public Works Ralph Jooma to call for a roundtable discussion with the leadership of the truck drivers.

In the meeting, the two sides agreed to raise the salaries of the truck drivers by 100 percent with the least paid drivers getting MK60, 000.

The government raised the salaries of fuel tanker drivers to MK150, 000.

But this morning, the truck drivers refused to accept the new salary offer with many pushing the leadership to announce continuation of the strike.

More details to follow….