ECAM Cites Poverty as Major Driver of Child Labor in Malawi
Despite some progress, child labor remains a persistent problem in Malawi, with many families struggling with poverty and unable to afford school fees and related costs for their children.
BLANTYRE, Malawi— The Employers Consultative Association of Malawi (ECAM) has singled out poverty as a major contributing factor to child labour in the country, writes Gift Kaimira.
Speaking at a stakeholder engagement meeting Wednesday in Blantyre, ECAM Executive Director George Khaki said economic hardships faced by many Malawians are driving children into work.
"Child labor has deepened as a result of the economic hardships that Malawians are going through, though there are some positive strides in eliminating child labor," Khaki said.
He called for consolidated efforts to address the issue and urged the private sector to support educational institutions by providing scholarships as part of corporate social responsibility initiatives.
Dr. Limbani Eliya Nsapato, country director of the education NGO EDUKANS and board chair of the Civil Society Education Coalition, agreed that the private sector and government have vital roles in eliminating child labor and promoting decent work.
Nsapato challenged stakeholders to actively support the education sector's efforts if Malawi is to break the cycle of child labor.
Despite some progress, child labor remains a persistent problem in Malawi, with many families struggling with poverty and unable to afford school fees and related costs for their children.