Private Schools Employees Union Encourages Youth to Protect Their Employment Rights
Joining PSEUM can help youth ensure their rights and interests are protected in the ever-evolving landscape of private education employment in Malawi.
Lilongwe, Malawi -Youth employed in private education institutions across Malawi have been urged to join the Private Schools Employees Union of Malawi (PSEUM) to safeguard their employment rights, writes Moses Nyirenda.
The call was made during the PSEUM Youth Committee and Policy Training, which took place at the Crown Hotel in Lilongwe on Saturday.
Falison Lemani, the General Secretary of PSEUM, emphasized that young workers are often vulnerable to various forms of workplace abuses, making it essential for them to become members of the union.
Lemani explained, "Youth need to understand that the union is there as their mouthpiece, as their representative. Joining the union means they can protect themselves from potential employer abuse."
He highlighted scenarios where young employees might face exploitation, such as receiving lower wages due to lack of experience.
By becoming part of the union, these workers can advocate for their rights in the workplace.
Lemani also noted that many youth working in private education institutions may not fully comprehend employment-related issues, including pension matters.
Joining the union can help them gain a better understanding of these issues and advocate for their interests effectively.
"We have pressing issues like pensions, and we've noticed that many newcomers to the union are not enrolled in pension schemes, possibly because they don't fully grasp pension matters. To bridge this knowledge gap, I encourage them to join the union, which is there to represent their interests," Lemani stressed.
PSEUM is open to all individuals working in private education institutions, encompassing teachers, librarians, security guards, cooks, and other employees.
Joining PSEUM is a straightforward process; interested individuals can approach a union representative, fill out a registration form, and instantly become union members.
Christabel Kalumikiza Mussa, a PSEUM member who joined the union six years ago, commended PSEUM's positive impact on the welfare of its members.
She noted, "I have witnessed the positive changes in how our organization operates. Our management now engages with us to discuss various matters we raise because the union collaborates with managers to improve our working conditions."
Mussa, an employee at Bambino International Schools, encouraged youth working in private education institutions to join PSEUM, emphasizing that it would empower them to comprehend and protect their employment rights.
PSEUM, an affiliate of the Malawi Congress of Trade Unions (MCTU), was founded on June 1, 2001, with a mission to safeguard and promote the rights of workers employed in the country's private education institutions.
The union boasts a membership of 5,000 individuals and receives support from the Swedish Teachers Union.
Joining PSEUM can help youth ensure their rights and interests are protected in the ever-evolving landscape of private education employment in Malawi.