ILO, MCTU partner to fight child labour in Malawi

International Labour Organization (ILO) and Malawi Congress of Trade Unions (MCTU) have entered into a new partnership to strengthen trade union action in the fight against child labour with a focus on tea and coffee supply chains in Chitipa, Mulanje, Mzimba, Ntchisi and Thyolo districts.

The partnership, which is valued at approximately 170 million kwacha has been established under ILO’s ‘Accelerating action for the elimination of child labour in supply chains in Africa’ (ACCEL Africa) project which is funded by Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Netherlands.

MCTU Secretary General Madalitso Njolomole says the partnership will enhance their ongoing efforts to build the capacity of affiliated trade unions in the targeted tea and coffee-growing communities to identify and address child labour and its root causes.

“MCTU will be holding sensitization campaigns for workers and sign agreements that protect children from child labour as well as ensure decent working conditions for parents and caregivers,” Njolomole

Mr. George Okutho, Director of ILO Country Office for Zambia, Malawi and Mozambique said trade unions have vital roles to play in the fight against child labour through campaigning for ratification and effective implementation of international labour standards through strong laws and policies.

Okutho says “trade unions can bargain with employers collectively on behalf of workers for improved working conditions for adult workers, reducing the incentive for families to resort to child labour.”

International Labour Organization (ILO) brings together governments, employers and workers of 187 countries to set labour standards, develop policies and devise programmes promoting decent work for all women and men.