A $2 million (about K1.5 billion) grant agreement has been signed between the Government of Norway and ILO to support the Government of Malawi and employers and workers’ organisations to address decent work deficits in the tobacco sector.

In a statement signed by Norwegian Embassy in Malawi’s deputy head of mission Ørnulf Strøm said the new project is aligned to the strategic priorities of development cooperation between Norway and Malawi.

On the other hand, Malawi Congress of Trade Unions general secretary Denis Kalekeni said the country’s tobacco industry is at stake due to child and forced labour; hence, the need to employ initiatives that will sanitise the industry. The tobacco sector’s employment remains a contentious issue as mostly employees get paid less at the end of the year to afford a decent life