It is now one year and three months since the Southern Region Labour Office last inspected work premises, a problem attributed to transport challenges.
Southern Region Labour Officer Frank Adini confirmed the development.
“We have been facing mobility challenges since March 2022. The matter was reported at that time but, up to now, nothing has happened and we, as a region, are still facing challenges in monitoring labour activities because the problem has not been solved,” Adini said.
He said the problem festered after unknown people stole parts from their only vehicle.
Reacting to the development, Labour Commissioner Hlalerwayo Nyangulu said they are aware of the problem, adding that the ministry will provide a vehicle at an opportune time.
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He, however, said this does not mean the Regional Labour Office for the South is completely handicapped because, according to him, the office can also share a vehicle with Trade Test
“The Regional Labour Office is sharing offices with the Trade Test Centre for the South, which is under the same ministry. In that department, they have a vehicle which they can be sharing— perhaps the challenge is that we are not used to sharing but, otherwise, they are not completely handicapped,” Nyangulu said.
Meanwhile, chairperson for the Human Rights Consultative Committee Robert Mkwezalamba has described the situation as unfortunate.
He said, if the labour office cannot inspect workplaces, malpractices such as child labour can flourish.
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“There are numerous companies in Blantyre and other parts, hence the need for the Ministry of Labour to be conducting inspections intensively,” said Mkwezalamba, a former Malawi Congress of Trade Unions secretary general.
He said Malawi cannot afford to have children engaged in child labour, as that tarnishes the country’s image.
Last week, Labour Minister Agnes NyaLonje admitted that child labour is still prevalent in the country despite efforts to tame the vice.
NyaLonje said this when Lilongwe District Council commemorated World Day Against Child Labour in Kanchedzera Village, Traditional Authority Chadza, in Lilongwe District on Wednesday.
She cited lack of resources as one of the challenges that fuel the problem.
“That said, the government has put in place measures aimed at addressing challenges such as policies that protect children from exploitation and inspection of workplaces to ensure that children are not there.
“We commend stakeholders such as schools, traditional readers and the district council for fighting child labour,” NyaLonje said.
Norwegian Ambassador to Malawi Ingrid Marie Mikelsen said her government is committed to rooting out child labour in the agriculture sector.
“It is important for us to know that the agriculture sector in Malawi and the general workspace functions without using children as sources of labour because they need to go to school in order to learn life skills so that they can contribute to the economy,” Mikelsen said.
Malawi Congress of Trade Unions President Charles Kumchenga said the union is concerned about rising cases of child labour in the country and that it would continue sensitising people to issues related to the evils of child labour.
