GENEVA (MaraviPost)—Malawi government has been commended for its diligent effort in elimination of child labour especially in tea and tobacco estates. This was attributed to the feasible policies which government has put in place.The commendation was made during the on-going 105th Session of the International Labour Conference which is under way in Geneva, Switzerland under the theme “Building a future with decent work”.
Last month, Henry Mussa, Minister of Labour, Youth and Manpower Development announced plans to abolish tenancy labor system in Malawi by replacing it with wage bill where landlords in estates will be mandated to pay their tenants (employees) monthly salaries for a living.
Among other tactical programs Malawi is making head way on labour upfront include the elimination of child labour and Skills for Economic Diversification, and formulation of the Employment and Labour Policy, and Social Support Policy.
In a telephone interview with The Maravi Post on Wednesday, June 8, Mussa who is leading a Tripartite Delegation comprising representatives of the Government, Employers and Workers the Malawi, underscored Malawi’s commitment to attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals, in particular goal number 8, which calls for promotion of sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all.
The Labour Minister Mussa told The Maravi Post that the conference has given Malawi an opportunity to show the world on what it has done by taking full ownership of the Agenda 2030 and committed to the successful implementation of the SDGs to be embraced in the Malawi Growth and Development Strategy (MGDS III).
The Minister also informed the summit that labour programmes and initiatives in Malawi are formulated and implemented in collaboration with the tripartite constituents, the Employers’ Consultative Association of Malawi (ECAM) and Malawi Congress of Trade Unions (MCTU).
“We therefore commend the ILO for the support it is providing to Malawi to make head way in programmes on elimination of child labour and Skills for Economic Diversification, and formulation of the Employment and Labour Policy, and Social Support Policy.
“Malawi still needs additional support from ILO and other multilateral and bilateral development partners for implementation of the 2030 agenda as the nation Malawi needs a vibrant country office with experts in various fields to ensure effective and efficient implementation of the Agenda 2030,” said Mussa.
Prior to the conference, the Labor Minister Mussa engaged a serious discussion with International Labor Organization (ILO)’s Director General (DG) Guy Ryder in a bid to secure technical and financial support towards establishment of the Workers Compensation Fund, Minimum Wage Regulation, and regulation of Private Employment Agencies which will create an enabling environment for Sustainable Enterprises in the country.
