By Isaac Jim
Blantyre, September 17, Mana: Minister of Labour Agnes Nyalonje on Monday launched the Labour Laws Reviews Consultative Workshop in Blantyre aimed at improving Malawi’s productivity.
Nyalonje said that the review of labour laws was due to gaps that have come in with time as the old policies are not helpful to the country.
“There is a need to attend to the policies that govern the labour sector. Reviewing the registration and legal framework for new registration will also help us clean up what is not helping the country.
“I cannot overemphasize the fact that the current labour laws have gaps, ambiguities and inadequacies that have necessitated a comprehensive review. Some of the major factors contributing to these gaps emanate from emerging issues like climate change, unemployment and underemployment,” she said.
She further said that her ministry was working hard to improve the work environment and that it is in its final stages of concluding a roadmap aimed at extending social protection.
“Ministry is working tirelessly to improve the work world. Firstly, to curb unemployment and accelerate creation of jobs in the labour market, my ministry is in the process of reviewing the Job Creation Strategy. This will complement other existing initiatives within Government including the Graduate Internship and Labour Export programs already in place.”
“My Ministry is also in the final stages of concluding a roadmap aimed at extending social protection through Global Accelerator on Jobs and Social Protection for Just Transitions (GA), of which, Malawi is a pathfinder country and it has placed Agriculture, Tourism and Ministry of Mining as the main vehicles for wealth and job creation in line with our development path, MW2063,” Nyalonje added.
Executive Director of Employees Consultative Association of Malawi (ECAM), George Khaki expressed gratitude for the workshop as labour laws play a significant role in maintaining a good relationship between the employee and employer.
“Creating a fair and equitable working environment for all stakeholders starting from employees, employers, government and the country as a whole is our priority. Labour laws are also the catalysts for the national development that is in line with Malawi 2063 agenda,” he said.
The labour laws review workshop that started on 16th and will end on the 17th of September was held under the theme of “Strengthening of Labour Laws for Attainment of Decent Jobs and Sustainable Economic Development” and was organized by the European Union, Zatchito Program.
The meeting had stakeholders from different organizations such as Regional Labour Offices, Malawi Congress of Trade Unions (MCTU), Employees Consultative Association of Malawi (ECAM) and representatives from various companies and other similar meetings have already been held in the northern and central region.
