Malawi Government has listed the type of hazardous work children are not supposed to be engaged into.
These hazardous works include farm work involving use of chemicals and use of heavy machinery in factories.
Chief labour officer in the Ministry of Labour, Linda Kawamba, opening a workshop in Blantyre on Wednesday on the awareness of the list of hazardous work for children in Malawi, said the list prohibits employment of children less than 18 years.
She said: “It is our duty, therefore, that we take time to raise awareness to children, parents, employers, estate supervisors, chiefs and all those concerned about the list.”
Kawamba said child labour has a number of negative effects to children because it causes serious damage to children’s health as a result of violence, injury or disease.
She said: “It impinges on the social, emotional, spiritual and moral development of children, exploits children through force, low wages, poor working conditions and sexual and psychological abuse…”
She said whereas government had taken positive steps to eliminate child labour, it was condemning those employers who continue employing children. She said government wanted to see all children in schools.
Kawamba warned that employment of under-age children is an offence under the Employment Act.
The workshop was attended by different stakeholders including from non-governmental organisations.
