By Chisomo Phiri

A leading poultry company in the country, Central Poultry (CP ) has come under fire for its handling of new employees.

We met one of the victims Peter Mawindo,who shared his disturbing experience with our publication.

Mawindo was asked to start working with CP on March 1, 2025, without receiving a formal job offer letter or clear instructions about his employment terms.

When he inquired about the offer letter, the Human Resource (HR) representative told him that it would take 2-3 months to receive it, citing the company’s “high schedules” as the reason.

Said Mawindo in his long response:”I underwent interviews and a one-week training at Central Poultry, Kanengo Hatchery, in September 2024. On February 28, 2025, I received a call at exactly 10:48 am, informing me to start work the following day, March 1, 2025. Before the call ended, I asked, “Why do I need to arrive tomorrow at 6 am?” The response was, “Kudzayamba ntchito Peter ndati,” which did not provide the clarification I was seeking.

“I then asked, “What about the offer letter, madam?” The HR representative replied, “You will receive it later.” I found this response unprofessional and unclear.

“I traveled to Lilongwe the same day and spent the night at a lodge to ensure I arrived on time for my first day. The next morning, I arrived at the campus at 5:45 am and waited until 6:16 am, when I was called to enter the premises.

“Upon entering, I was instructed to follow the supervisor and begin work immediately. However, I requested to speak with the HR representative first. When I met with her, she explained that the company typically takes 2-3 months to provide new employees with an offer letter due to their busy schedules.

“I expressed my concerns about starting work without a formal contract and requested that they notify me when the offer letter was ready. I then left the premises.”

Mawindo saw it as an unusual practice and a potential sign of exploitation.

Our investigation revealed that CP’s hiring process lacks transparency, and the company’s communication with new employees is unclear and disorganized.

The HR representative’s response to Mawindo’s inquiry demonstrated a lack of respect for employees’ time and rights.

Mind you the lack of formal employment contracts and unclear expectations can lead to a toxic work environment and high employee turnover rates.

In Malawi, the law requires employers to provide employees with a written contract outlining the employment terms.

Failure to do so can result in disputes, conflicts, and exploitation of employees.

Mawindo’s incident exposes concerns about unfair labor practices and poor management at CP.

His experience at the company highlights the importance of requesting a job offer letter and reviewing and negotiating the terms before starting work.

*What can you do if you are facing a similar situation?*

– Request a job offer letter outlining the employment terms.
– Review and negotiate the terms if necessary.
– Don’t start work without a formal contract.

Remember, a job offer letter is a crucial document that protects your rights and ensures a clear understanding of the employment agreement.