NONM asks for tax-free risk allowances

National Organisation of Nurses and Midwives (NONM) has asked Malawi government to remove tax attached to newly revised risk allowances.

ONM President Shouts Simeza made the remarks during the international nurses day commemoration on Tuesday in Lilongwe.

Simeza said the organization is disappointed over the conduct of government of deducting 30% tax from the risk allowances.

“We indicated that risk allowances should be tax free. So we have heard speculations that the risk allowances have been subjected to tax, and those who were supposed to be getting k50, 000 are getting k33000. That’s a big challenge. If it comes to be an official observation we will find a way of how to go about it,” said Simeza.

Last month, the government bowed down to demands of health workers in the country after a series of nationwide protests, among others, adjusting upwards their risk allowances from a minimum of K1, 000 to a maximum of K60, 000.

The new rates indicated that health workers from grade HE to HI will be receiving a risk allowance of K50, 000 from K1, 800, workers under C will be receiving K20, 000 from K1, 000, grade HJ and HK allowance had been adjusted from K1, 500 to K50, 000 and grade HL had been moved from K1, 000 to K30,000. Health workers from grade HM and below are getting K25, 000.

Commenting on the matter, Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA) has said its duty is to implement government directive.