Malawi Shuts Down Three Companies Over Worker Safety Violations
The ministry warned other companies nationwide to comply with labour laws or face similar enforcement actions.
LILONGWE, Malawi — Malawi's Labour Ministry ordered the immediate closure of three manufacturing companies Thursday following surprise inspections that revealed severe workplace safety violations and labour law breaches, write Wendy Mkandawire and Winston Mwale.
Labour Minister Vitumbiko Mumba discovered workers operating heavy machinery without protective equipment during unannounced visits to Central Poultry Feeds, Topmax Malata, and ND Company in Lilongwe.
"The visit has unearthed several shortfalls prevailing in the workplace, far beyond what I had thought," Mumba said at a press conference at Capital Hill.
He cited "enormous risk to health and safety of the workers" as the primary reason for invoking Section 77 of the Occupational Safety, Health and Welfare Act.
At Central Poultry Feeds' Kanengo facility, ministry officials found employees working 11-hour shifts in dusty conditions without masks or proper footwear.
"Some of them are operating while barefooted and others are wearing slippers," said ministry spokesperson Nellie Yankho Kanyemba.
The inspections also revealed issues of underpayment and worker exploitation.
"We have also discovered that some workers are receiving poor salaries despite working 11 hours a day," Kanyemba added.
Mumba said the facilities will remain closed until they address the violations and pass follow-up inspections.
"I will make sure that no worker is subjected to unfair labour practices or any form of abuse," he said, announcing plans to collabourate with trade unions to strengthen workplace oversight.
The ministry warned other companies nationwide to comply with labour laws or face similar enforcement actions.
Officials will continue conducting surprise inspections to ensure worker safety and fair treatment.
The closures highlight growing concerns about workplace safety standards in Malawi's manufacturing sector, where labour advocates have long pushed for stricter enforcement of occupational health regulations.