JTI Leaf Company and Ministry of Labour have today signed a Memorandum of understanding (MOU) that aims at empowering the ministry to conduct labour inspections and monitor compliance with regards to labour standards and adherence to labour laws.
The MOU will also see JTI and Malawi government being in a partnership in pursuing the objectives of the Decent Work Country Programme which contributes to the National Development Agenda.
Speaking after signing the MOU, Dickson Chunga Principal Secretary in the ministry of labour said the MOU will empower the ministry to conduct inspections and monitor compliance of labour laws in JTI contracted farms.
He said through the MOU, the ministry will provide training to JTI Agronomy Staff and contracted farmers on labour standards and the Malawi labour laws.
On his part, Limbani Kakhome JTI’s Corporate Affairs and Communications Director said the aim of the MOU is to enforce labour laws and address labour issues that would be identified.
“Ministry of labour has a mandate to do labour inspections at any work place, and we want to leverage on that empowerment and create follow up actions that help us as private sector, employers, workers on the farm and government to work together and resolve labour issues that have been Identified.
“If Malawi does not enforce the decent work Agenda, what can happen to us is that our Agricultural products in all value chains could struggle to access international markets because it is becoming a requirement in international markets that you are accountable for your actions on the ground.” Added Kakhome.
Currently JTI Leaf company is implementing a project named ARISE – which stands for Achieving Reduction of Child Labour in Support of Education – and is designed to end the use of child labour in tobacco estates.