IUF women’s project is changing lives at the working place. Adaine Kazembe the vice general secretary of Sugar Plantation and Allied Workers Union Malawi said this during the National Project Coordinating Committee meeting held at Chilembwe Lodge on Saturday 1st July 2023. She said as women at the workplace they were facing challenges like sexual harassment and discrimination. Adaine Kazembe said now women are able to speak up against many forms of abuse taking place at the workplace because of the many sensitization meetings which are taking place at the workplace. Adaine Kazembe said they is a grouping of women in leadership position and believe this will also help tackle women issues at the workplace. She called upon all women in the workplaces to unite and stand up for women issues and conduct meetings.
Zione Pakulamtanda Nyirenda , the national coordinator of the IUF women project said they has been a massive cut in the allocation of funds transferre. She called upon union leadership to compliment the activities of the women by allocating some funds from the union towards women activities. Zione Pakulamtanda Nyirenda said the union has made huge strides in women affairs, She said currently in the new Collective bargain agreement of Marriott the union has proposed 4 months maternity leave and she prays that this passes through the board. Marriot Hotel has also turned the gym into a breast feeding room. Zione Pakulamtanda Nyirenda called upon other branches to emulate this noble cause which is supported by legislation. Currently the employment act amendement of 2021 sec 46A (2) An employer shall provide suitable space for breastfeeding at the workplace which ensures privacy and safety.
The IUF women project is for 5 unions in Malawi – Hotel Food Processing and Catering Workers Union, Sugar Plantation and Allied Workers Union Malawi, Tobacco and Allied Workers Union Malawi, Plantation and Allied Workers Union Malawi and Commercial Industrial Allied Workers Union. The project provides funding to promote and defend workers rights
