Malawi announces pay rise for HIV-infected workers

Malawi's government is set to increase the monthly pay of civil servants infected with HIV/AIDS.

The move will see workers in the country receive an extra $35 (£18) per month on top of their average monthly wage of $200 (£100), Reuters reported.

Civil servants who reveal that they are infected with the disease will receive the extra money to help pay for their food costs.

Health Minister Marjorie Ngaunje told the website: "We thought an extra 5,000 Malawi kwacha on top of their monthly salaries would go a long way in improving their nutritional requirements which are essential to their well-being."

Mary Shawa, principal secretary for nutrition and HIV/AIDS in the president's office, added: "We know that thousands are infected in the civil service and with the new system we expect to have exact numbers when people enrol as beneficiaries."

According to figures provided by the Malawian government, as many as one million of the country's population of 13 million are infected with HIV/AIDS.

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