Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Francis Kasaila, revealed that months ago, a delegation from the US government found a tobacco field which was using child labour, making the US government maintain its position on halting importation of tobacco and related products from Malawi due to failure to end child labour.
Kasaila said that some farmers are still using child labour in tobacco fields despite the United States (US) Withhold and Release Order (WRO).
In 2015, the Malawi National Child Labour survey revealed that 38% of Malawian children aged between five and 17 years are into child labour. Child labour is referred to the engagement of children in prohibited work and, more generally, in types of work that are socially and morally undesirable.
According to the results of the survey released by the National Statistical Office (NSO) in Lilongwe on Friday, child labour is more prevalent in the Southern Region at 43.5% and 33% for the Central Region and Northern Region.