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Malawian Leaders Cut Their Salaries for COVID-19 Fight - Critics Say It's Not
Enough

Lameck Masina

   BLANTRYE, MALAWI - Malawi's president has ordered a 10 percent pay cut
   for himself and his 32-member cabinet to cushion the impact of
   coronavirus on the economy. But critics say the wage cuts are too small
   for a country that depends largely on donor funding, and where the
   virus is starting to be felt.

   Malawian officials announced the country's first death from COVID-19
   Tuesday. The patient, a 31-year-old Asian woman, who resided in
   Blantyre, had recently returned from India, where it is believed she
   contracted the virus.

   The number of coronavirus cases now stands at eight, and medical
   experts say they are following up with about 100 people who had contact
   with the patients.

   President Peter Mutharika declared COVID-19 a national disaster last
   month before the country even registered its first case.

   In his latest address on the pandemic over the weekend, Mutharika
   announced several measures to help cushion the economic impact of the
   disease.

   Those include a string of tax breaks for businesses, a reduction in
   fuel prices and an increase of risk allowance for health workers.

   "I am also directing the treasury to do the following. One, reduce the
   salaries of the president, cabinet ministers and deputy ministers by 10
   percent for three months and direct the resources to the fight against
   the Corona various," Mutharika said.

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