Cannabis association reaffirms commitment to employee welfare improvement

Malawi: United States Cannabis Association Limited (USCA), a private corporation that promotes cannabis farming in Malawi through its Agri-Zyda farms, has reaffirmed its commitment to improving employee welfare by offering competitive salaries and appropriate service conditions, writes Watipaso Mzungu.

USCA Chief Executive Officer Wezi Ngalamira was responding to some concerned employees who wrote to management on August 1, 2022, to express their dissatisfaction with the company's seven-month delay in paying them.

The disgruntled employees, led by Annie Fiwa, expressed disappointment with management's failure to honour its obligations to them.

“We feel that the issue of nonpayment of staff salaries is not being treated with the seriousness that it deserves. This can be evidenced by the lack of management to address the issue to staff and also the recent MEMO from the CEO. Not only did the said memo contain nothing to do with salaries, but it also went to accuse us of absconding from work,” reads part of the letter.

“We find this insulting and we are now demanding our salary arrears and to be addressed by the management by 8th August 2022 failure to which we shall seek assistance from other external sources to help us in claiming for what is due to us,” they warned.

However, Ngalamira stated on Monday that while some employees have not received their dues, the company remains committed to improving the quality of life for all of its employees.

"Due to unforeseen circumstances, USCA Ltd failed to fulfil some of its responsibilities, causing some workers to leave the system." "However, in order for the company to take appropriate action, management informed all affected employees that they should provide responses and documentation in support of the communication made to them through USCA's company secretary," she explained.

Ngalamira questioned why the concerned employees chose to take the matter to the media rather than discuss it with their management.

"It's unfortunate that they went to the media before presenting them to the Company Secretary, who also happens to be the chairman of the board. The key solution to all of this is for them to notify the Company Secretary, who can take appropriate action on their grievances," Ngalamira said.

She assured the workers that the company is eager to resolve their complaints as soon as possible.