By Fatsani Gunya
BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)-Enhancing inclusiveness in the labour market is key to building Malawi’s socio-economic growth, government has said.
President Lazarus Chakwera has since vowed to fight for equal labour rights in the country amid reports of prevalent cases of segregation and stigma in workplaces among some workers; especially against women and those with disabilities.
Chakwera made the remarks on Sunday, May 1, 2022 in Mzuzu during this year’s commemorations of the International Labour Day held at Katoto Freedom Park.
“The reason we still fight for the meagre resources amidst us is because we have a small workforce fending for the rest of us. At least those we choose to recognise as the working class.
“I would like to acknowledge those in informal sector for their contribution in building the country’s economic growth. This is why my administration is going to put some great emphasis on this particular sector to ensure we leave no one in restoring the country’s lost glory. Inclusion is key,” said Chakwera.
The President’s sentiments followed revelations that informal workers continue to face despicable violations to their rights “simply because authorities have had their eyes glued on the formal sector.”
Attending the commemoration was also Minister of Labour Vera Kamtukule who in solidarity with domestic workers dressed in a red housemaid outfit.
“Mr President, I am dressed this way today in solidarity with those in the informal sector. I have in mind the domestic workers; the housemaid,” said Kamtukule.
“I am here to indentify myself with them because it seems no-one talks or writes about their tears. It has almost become like a norm now to have their rights abused. And what pains most is that nobody seems to care; not even us in power.
“But these are the very same people that have greatly helped the economy tick since time immemorial. Most of us wouldn’t have been what we are today without such helpers in our early life, and beyond,” she said.
Kamtukule said according to reports reaching her office, violation of the rights for housemaids and exploitation of such people are common in many household.
“We hear stories of some maids being fired without any meaningful severance pay after working for more that15 years. I mean, these are people who have tended to our kids since birth through college and yet, without a sense of remorse, we send them packing with a meagre K50 000 upon finding them redundant after all this while. Shame on us,” she lamented.
The Minister also warned against some tendency by some companies and individuals who seem to strive on short term contract employees and interns; an issue Chakwera also echoed in his address.
On their part, the Employers Consultaive Association of Malawi (Ecama) has asked government to create a sustainable and enabling environment for the country’s labour market to thrive.
“Workers need to enjoy doing their job and this calls for a safer and free workplace. Unfortunately, that’s not the case in many a workplace in the country. Sexual exploitation and other forms of gender based violence remain. It’s a pity we still have such reports in this era,” said Ecama board chairperson Zandile Shaba.
While she hailed government on improved engagements with her body and trade unions, Shaba feels government should consider taking a leading role in curbing such vices among workers.
“Most importantly, we expect you to ratify the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Violence and Harrassment Convention number 190 as stipulated so that people shouldn’t suffer in silence. This goes both way; the employee and their employer as well,” she said.
On June 21, 2019, the ILO’s International Labour Conference adopted the Centenary Declaration on the Future of Work, expressing a clear commitment
to a world of work free from violence and harassment.
On the same day, the Centenary Conference brought this commitment to life with the adoption of the Violence and Harassment Convention (No. 190) and Recommendation (No. 206).
