Rumours that immigrants have been earning fat salaries from Banja la Mtsogolo (BLM) have been rife over the years. While we do not wish to judge the suspects, it is disheartening to find out that they are based on some truth. Not only does this not look good for a company here to better the lives of Malawians, but it shows a deeper cave of decay for our society.

That no matter how prosperous our country may appear, Malawi will not eat of the fat of enterprise.

It is within their right for any company, foreign or local, to hire who they may, but to completely disregard the human resources and laws of our country is unjust at most. How can such top posts as director of finance, finance manager, and marketing manager, be taken by foreigners who have no legal right to earn such a salary on Malawian soil? Does Malawi not have hands capable enough?

After the many years of such stories threatening to spill over about BLM we thought there would be an effort made somewhere for the organisation to be placed in capable hands from within Malawi for the good of international relations and the owners themselves.

After all, local employment is much cheaper and more rooted considering the travel, visa, accommodation, insurance and upkeep expenses that expatriates are often entitled to.

We congratulate the Department of Immigration for their prompt action and want to urge them to make haste because there are many foreign companies, Non Governmental Organisations and banks, on Malawian soil that are into similar mal practices: bringing in cheap or expert labour, sometimes under qualified, overlooking those in the country that are capable of handling the task at hand.

Most fail to follow the correct procedures pertaining to the hiring of foreign hands.

Our expectation to the Immigration Department: See through this case and keep the nation updated. Otherwise, it should not be a one off event.