The Minister of Labour Hon. Agnes NyaLonje has reiterated her Ministry’s commitment to uphold the rights of workers in the country in order to promote decent jobs for everyone. She said this in her official opening remarks during this year’s annual conference for Labour Inspectors.
The three-day conference was held at Sunbird Lilongwe Hotel under the theme “promoting decent jobs through effective integrated labour administration system”. The EU-Funded Zantchito Skills for Jobs Programme provided financial support to the conference, aimed at fostering cooperation, collaboration and cohesion amongst labour inspectors in the application of and enforcement of labour laws in the country.”
NyaLonje said that there is need to develop new strategies and implement new initiatives such as the Zantchito programme in order for her ministry to be in line with the changing world of work which Malawi has not been spared.
“This changing background to our work requires us to gather regularly for discussion and sharing of experiences so that we can work collectively and coherently across all departments as one Ministry and across districts and regions of the country.” Said NyaLonje.
She further reminded the participants that they are the public face of the Ministry of Labour, with responsibility to provide guidance on, and enforce, the labour laws which promote decent work standards that are internationally recognised as critical for sustainable economic development.
The EU OSH expert under Zantchito Programme Mr. Johanes Mandowa said that the conference was important as it provided a fertile platform to review the national labour administration performance of Malawi as well as to foster standardisation, cooperation, collaboration, mutual learning and networking which are important values in promotion of decent work at workplaces.
“Furthermore, this conference presents a platform for capacity building by equipping labour inspectors with the necessary skills, efficiencies and competences that are critical in aiding their effectiveness in discharging their labour administration mandate.” Said Mandowa.