78 000 child labourers in Malawi tobacco sector—UN
The United Nations special rapporteur on the Right to Food Olivier de Schutter has exposed the harsh conditions tenants in Malawi’s tobacco industry go through with the visiting envoy immediately calling for the tabling of the Tenancy Labour Bill to improve what he called extremely precarious conditions.
De Schutter, who said so far the tobacco industry has almost 78 000 child labourers, has partially blamed tobacco companies for the harsh conditions.
He claimed collusion between global tobacco companies over prices has negative impact on the livelihood of the tenants. He said in 2010, tobacco companies paid almost 37 percent below the government set average minimum prices.
“The special rapporteur could witness the extremely precarious conditions in which an estimated 300 000 tenant families live in Malawi,” he said.
De Schutter was in the country for an 11-day tour to assess the country’s food situation.
In his end-of-the-mission statement, among several issues, he raised concerns over the tenancy system.
“The incomes of tenants depend on the quantity and quality of tobacco sold to their landlords. In certain cases, they are left without any income once they reimburse loans covering their food requirement during the tobacco growing season,” he said.
De Schutter also said it is time Malawi became party to the World Health Organisation’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) and identify alternative options to tobacco growing.
The Tenancy Labour Bill, which was finalised in 2010, is said to be with Cabinet, but Minister of Labour Eunice Makangala could not be drawn to immediately comment on when the bill would be ready.
Chairperson of the National Right to Food Network, Billy Mayaya, said his organisation was happy with the observations made by the UN envoy, saying he has highlighted several important issues.
