Malawi bishops lament plight of poor
February 26, 2013
Malawi’s bishops expressed gratitude for the end to a strike by more than 100,000 government employees but rued the plight of the nation’s poor.
Annual per capita income in the southeastern African nation stands at $900.
“Malawi is seriously entrenching a two-tier society with over 80% of the population struggling to survive and depending on poor, over-stretched and quality-compromised public service delivery; while the 20% are affording privatized education, health and security services,” the bishops’ commission for justice and peace said in a statement. “This 20% of the population … is creating a section of passive and irresponsive citizenry that has become silent to the plight and cries of the majority poor.”
The nation of 16.3 million is 54% Protestant, 29% Catholic, and 13% Muslim.
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Further information:
- Rich 20% of population silent to plight of 80% poor (Fides)
- Malawi state workers end strike after pay hike deal (Reuters)
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