The International Labour Organisation (ILO) has urged Malawi to establish a comprehensive legal framework to support the implementation of National Social Protection Policy.
ILO technical officer on social protection Patience Matandiko, speaking on Friday in Salima District during a training session, said that the organisation, working with partners, is building capacity among key stakeholders to support the development of such legislation.
“There is need for further discussions and consultations to come up with a law which should respond to the needs of Malawians on social protection,” she said.
Matandiko noted that ILO has long supported the Malawi Government, employers, workers’ organisations and civil society to strengthen social protection systems.
Malawi Congress of Trade Unions Vice-Preident president Kelvin Chifunda said more should be done to ensure inclusivity.
“We have many poor people who are not beneficiaries of the social protection systems because they are left out, including street children who are supposed to benefit by sending them to schools,” he said.
Civil Society Social Protection Network Central Region chairperson Alick Makiyi stressed that Malawi’s social protection programming lacks a legal basis.
“We have started consultations, in collaboration with Malawi Law Commission, to come up with the law,” he said.
Makiyi said the training has strengthened the capacity of stakeholders key to designing and implementing social protection measures.
The policy provides a framework for the identification, design, implementation and monitoring of social protection intervention in Malawi.
