Before 2011, there was no legal requirement for private employers to provide pension benefits. Under the current law, employers contribute 7.5 percent of an employee’s gross monthly earnings while employees contribute five percent. Private-sector workers contribute just as much to Malawi’s development. Rather, the conversation should focus on whether the retirement protection of private-sector workers should be strengthened. Current legislation excludes employees in businesses with five or fewer workers, domestic workers and seasonal workers.