The Tobacco Commission has called on traditional leaders in the country to use their authority to stop child labour in tobacco and to ensure all children go to school instead.
Board Chairperson Dr Godfrey Chapola made the appeal at a tree planting exercise jointly organised by TAMA Farmers Trust and the Agricultural Research and Extension Trust (ARET) at Wato Primary School in Kasungu district on Saturday.
“The Malawi tobacco industry has adopted the Agricultural Labor Practices Code which includes seven principles. One of these principles is ‘Zero tolerance to all forms of child labor in farms’ aiming to ensure that all school-age children are attending classes,” Dr Chapola said.
“I urge Senior Chief Mphomwa and all traditional leaders to ensure that our subjects are sending their children to school. We should not see children tying tobacco in barns instead of attending classes. We are here at Wato Primary School to conserve the environment and to motivate these children to work hard in their studies.”
In an interview, Senior Chief Mphomwa said he concurred with Dr Chapola on the need for children to stay away from tobacco work.
“Tobacco work is for us, adults, not school going children,” said the senior chief.
“This week, I have called all leaders – traditional leaders, religious leaders and others – and NGOs at ADC (Area Development Committee) level to a meeting to discuss child labour issues. The leaders are already aware of the evils of child labour but I want them to be constantly reminded about the need to continue fighting this vice in our area.”
In a separate interview, senior chief Kalolo of Lilongwe was proud the message on eliminating child labour had been mainstreamed in his jurisdiction. He called for frequent monitoring visits to ensure full compliance.
At the launch of the Agriculture Labour Practices (ALP) Code for the tobacco industry in May last year, the then Minister of Labour Agnes Nyalonje described the Code as ‘a significant milestone in our collective journey towards ensuring fair, safe, and dignified labour practices within this critical sector’.
The Tobacco Commission has since held sensitization meetings with District Labour Officers and farmers in all tobacco growing districts in the country.
Eliminating child labour in tobacco is one of the key elements Malawi is pursuing in ensuring compliance with international standards in the production of tobacco.
With support from the Geneva based Eliminating Child Labour in Tobacco Foundation (ECLT), the Tobacco Commission is leading the fight against child labour in tobacco in the country.
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