Dedza council steps up efforts to curb child labour

Dedza District Social Welfare and Disability office has expressed concern over rising cases of child labour in the district and called for concerted efforts to curb the vice.

Acting district social welfare and disability officer, Benjamin Kapuchi, said many children are spotted selling commodities at markets during school hours while others are found wandering around Dedza Border Post looking for piece-meal work such as washing trucks.

The office through its Technical Working Group (TWG), which comprises heads of government departments and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in the district, has decided to step up efforts to bring to book people involved in recruiting children to do piece-meal work.

Kapuchi, who also chairs the TWG, said there is evidence that some children in the district are being engaged to herd cattle or look after goats.

“Since child labour keeps escalating, child protection should not be regarded as the role of District Social Welfare and Disability office or police only, but for all sectors too. n