Malawi Government Initiates Labour Law Reforms to Enhance Workers’ Rights and Safety
The Labour Day commemoration was held under the theme: “Achieving Decent Work and Inclusive Growth: Promoting Workers’ Rights and Skills Development.”
Lilongwe, Malawi — The Ministry of Labour is actively reforming policies and laws governing general conditions of work, occupational safety and health, and workers’ compensation, writes Wendi Mkandawire.
Speaking during the Labour Day commemorations on Friday, 1 May 2026, Minister of Labour Joel Chigona announced that the reforms will introduce new provisions to address critical issues, including the rights of migrant workers and persons with disabilities, violence and harassment at work, gender-based discrimination and marginalization, and the challenges posed by short-term contracts.
Minister Chigona further revealed plans to develop a comprehensive Occupational Safety and Health Policy aimed at protecting all categories of workers across every sector of the economy.
This includes workers in micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) and the informal economy.
President of the Malawi Congress of Trade Unions (MCTU), Kelvin Chifunda, reaffirmed labour’s commitment to advancing workers’ rights through social dialogue at all levels.
He urged the immediate operationalization of the long-awaited Workers Compensation Fund, stressing that workers need concrete action rather than prolonged discussions.
“Exploitative practices by some employers, such as keeping workers on short-term contracts to avoid social protection obligations, must end,” Chifunda declared.
He highlighted that 50 percent of workers in Malawi remain unprotected, earn below the minimum wage, and lack decent jobs.
Chifunda also revealed that trade unions have presented a demand for a 100 percent increase in the minimum wage, citing the sharp rise in the cost of living that has left workers with little to no take-home pay.
Sunny Chavula, President of the Employers Consultative Association of Malawi (ECAMA), described the presence of the Minister of Justice at the event as significant. She noted that employers were able to directly present their concerns regarding outdated legal frameworks.
“Our legal frameworks are outdated. It has taken us too long to review them and they need to be changed. We are happy that the Minister of Justice has responded positively, saying he will fast-track the review of our employment laws,” Chavula explained.
The Labour Day commemoration was held under the theme: “Achieving Decent Work and Inclusive Growth: Promoting Workers’ Rights and Skills Development.”