Speaking in Mulanje on Friday during a workshop of shop stewards, MCTU Vice President, Kelvin Chifunda, said advocating for the rights of employees without knowing and understanding the workers’ rights and labor laws cannot yield anything.

“We expect the trade unions to be knowledgeable of all workers’ rights, Labor Relations Act, Employment Act, Occupation, Safety and Health (OSH) guidelines, gender related laws and the country’s constitution. This helps to advocate with vigor,” said Chifunda.

Shop steward from EGENCO Trade Union at Liwonde weed management site Samuel Dalesi told Zodiak Online that cordial relationship between workers unions and employers is crucial in managing injustices at work places.

“There is dedication among workers if they are in a good relationship with their employers and by the end of the day, the employers benefit more from this dedication,” said Dalesi.

On her part, Mary Lemeya from Lauderdale Tea Estate Company said from the training, she has added her knowledge on gender at work place.

One of the facilitators at the training, Jessie Ching’oma also from MCTU asked the shop stewards to win the trust of their members by being transparent and accountable in their operations.

“Trade Unions operate with contributions from their members and these resources have to be used prudently; otherwise, it becomes worrying if you (the unions) are suspected of financial mismanagement,” said Ching’oma.

The shop stewards came from different trade unions in Mulanje and other districts in the southern part of Malawi.