National Alliance 8.7 Roadmap Launched with a call for Accelerated Actions in the Fight Against Child Labour

Labour Commissioner, Hlalerwayo Nyangulu, has called for increased collaboration in the implementation of the national alliance 8.7 roadmap, if the country is to win the fight against child labour.

He made the sentiments on Tuesday, during a high level meeting on child labour, where the roadmap document was launched.

The Alliance 8.7 roadmap is a guiding tool in accelerating all activities towards the elimination of child labour in the country.

According to Nyangulu, the 2015 National Child Labour Survey indicates that the prevalence rate of child labour in the country is at 38%, hence there is a need for more partners to come forward and support the noble cause of child labour elimination. 

“The Road Map for Alliance 8.7 is a requirement for all Pathfinder Countries of the Alliance which Malawi has been an affiliate since 2019. The formulation process was derailed by COVID-19, but I am glad that we are now here launching this important document”, said Nyangulu.

Added Nyangulu: “The purpose of the Road Map is to help us accelerate child labour elimination and lead by example, as a Pathfinder country, in a quest to achieving the Sustainable Development Goal Target 8.7 of UN target, which is to “eradicate forced labour, end modern slavery and human trafficking and secure the prohibition and elimination of the worst forms of child labour, including recruitment and use of child soldiers [by 2030], and by 2025 end child labour in all its forms.”

ILO National Project Coordinator, Patience Matandiko, said the high level meeting was a very important gathering to enhance dialogue on critical matters towards the elimination of child labour in Malawi.

While calling for support towards activities in the roadmap, Matandiko hailed Malawi government for its commitment to have the roadmap document operationalized.