Health workers and prison warders have been on nationwide strikes, demanding protective gear, allowances and more to ease their lives amidst the coronavirus pandemic. Joining the protests are Junior Game Rangers in the various parks and protected areas across the country, demanding that their grievances be resolved.

A letter addressed to the Director of the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Brighton Kumchedwa has shown that part of the grievances include the request for promotion of officers, provision of Personal Protective Equipment in the wake of Covid-19, risk allowances and salary arrears.

Earlier last month the Malawi Tourism Council had foreseen the pandemic affecting 35,000 workers in the tourism sector. Last week, MTC board chairperson Tim Van Der Linden said the government has only granted four out of eight incentives that the council proposed, to cushion the tourism sector’s employees amidst COVID-19.

Spokesperson for the rangers, Twabi Chimimba told The Daily Times that their concerns are no different from their Malawi Prison and Police Services counterparts, whose grievances have been considered.