The Government has allocated K121,800,000 million to be paid as a risk allowance for 2436 prison officers. The sum represents K50,000 per officer per month, as the development is an appeasement towards the officials grievances in a threat to stop working.

According to a memo signed by the Secretary of Treasury, the above has been a result of a meeting between Treasury, the Covid-19 Taskforce and the Ministry of Homeland Security. “I wish to inform you that the Treasury has approved payment of the risk allowances to some grades of prison officers for a period of three months, effective from June 1 2020” says part of the statement.

Last week, Malawi Prisons’ junior officers demanded to be provided with personal protective equipment (PPEs) and risk allowances or else they will seal all prisons to force the government to start paying them. Confirming the news, Malawi Prison Service spokesperson Chimwemwe Shaba told The Nation newspaper that authorities are working on appeasing the grievances.