Minister of Labour, Skills and Innovation, Joel Chigona, has applauded Malawian employers for their role in creating decent jobs and fostering a strong working relationship with government.
Speaking on Friday night at the Employers Consultative Association of Malawi (ECAM) gala dinner and awards ceremony in Blantyre, Chigona said the event demonstrated employers’ commitment to recognising hardworking staff and upholding labour standards.
“We are very much interested in what the employers are doing, because this is a sign of recognition. Recognising people for their job well done is very important, and as government we value the good relationship we have with employers.”
Chigona said employers continue to play a critical role in job creation, adding that government remains committed to supporting companies that adhere to labour laws and offer conducive working conditions.
He stated: “These people are creating jobs for Malawians, and we are willing to support them. They are creating decent jobs, which is very good for Malawians. They are producing a good working environment that is suitable for employees.”
He also emphasised that enforcing labour rules is central to ensuring fair treatment of workers and sustaining a productive workforce.
The minister further commended companies that embrace transparency and corporate social responsibility (CSR), saying their willingness to engage government reflects confidence in their operations.
“If a company does not value corporate social responsibility, they would not invite us to be here — they might be hiding something,” he said. “But by inviting us, they show they are happy with what they are doing, and we are happy to monitor them and see everything as one family.”
ECAM President Anne Chavula said the awards are an important recognition platform aimed at promoting responsible employer behaviour and national development.
“This is a very important ceremony because we are awarding employers who have proved to us, through verified data, that they are responsible employers who take care of their employees and undertake corporate social responsibility activities. These efforts help in the development of the country, she said.”
Chavula said participation has continued to grow, reflecting increasing appreciation from employers.
“We’ve been running this for the past three years, and the numbers keep increasing. There are 11 categories in which we assess whether employers are compliant. Times are tough worldwide — not only in Malawi — but in general our employers have done well.”
During the ceremony, Illovo Sugar Malawi emerged as the Employer of the Year, taking the night’s top honour for its strong labour compliance, investment in employee welfare and corporate social responsibility initiatives.
