Abstract

The aim of the study was to analyse the extent to which employee voice (EV) influences occupational safety and health practices (OSH) at Dwangwa Sugar estate. The objectives of this study were three fold; to assess the legal and policy framework relating to EV and OSH practices, to analyse the effect of EV on OSH practices, and to examine the challenges associated with EV in uplifting OSH practices at Dwangwa Sugar estate. The study adopted a hybrid research design. Purposive sampling and simple random sampling produced study samples of 14 employees and 322 employees respectively from a study population of 1,986 employees. The study also reviewed various selected reports and policies of the Dwangwa Sugar estate. The researcher collected the data from the 14 employees through direct interviews whereas the data were collected from the 322 employees through a survey in which a self-administered structured questionnaire was issued to the participants. The data collected from the 14 employees, and through archival review of the reports and policies were analysed through literal and interpretive reading. The researcher analysed the data collected from the 322 employees through use of the Microsoft Excel. The study found that Dwangwa Sugar estate has the legal and policy framework relating to EV and OSH practices, that EV minimally affects OSH practices at Dwangwa Sugar estate, and that EV faces a myriad of challenges in uplifting OSH practices at Dwangwa Sugar estate. The study concluded that EV influences OSH practices to a lesser extent at Dwangwa Sugar estate. Against this conclusion, the study recommended that the Sugar Plantation and Allied Workers Union of Malawi should attract the 40 percent of employees who are not its members into its camp so that it enjoys an overwhelming employee voice. The study also recommended that the Sugar Plantation and Allied Workers Union of Malawi should review the qualification requirements of candidates aspiring for election into its executive to deal with leadership challenges at the top. The third recommendation although related to the second one was that the executive team of the Sugar Plantation and Allied Workers Union of Malawi should frequently undergo relevant trainings to improve strategic impetus. Finally, it was the recommendation of this study that the Sugar Plantation and Allied Workers Union of Malawi should lobby management for an amendment of the Recognition Agreement (1995) to secure recognition rights on matters of occupational safety and health.

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School	: School of Law, Economics and Government
Issued Date	: 2022

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