Annex 2: Activity Plan for better addressing Child labour in Agriculture in Malawi

MALAWI

Activity plan for better addressing child labour in agriculture in Malawi in the context of the National Action Plan on child labour

Introduction

This activity plan for better addressing child labour in agriculture in Malawi in the context of the National Action Plan (NAP) on child labour is a result of a series of national consultations held in 2010 and 2011. It is based on the table developed by the national planning meeting on 6th December 2010 and reviewed during the Capacity Development on Child Labour in Agriculture Workshop - Kambiri Lodge, Salima, Malawi – 25-27 May 2011, and reviewed and adopted during the National Conference in Eliminating Child labour in Agriculture, Lilongwe, Malawi held on 4-6 September 2012:

The Ministry of Labour (MoL) and the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (MoAFS) recognize that child labour is a threat to sustainable and equitable management of the agricultural sector, and believe on the need to integrate the issue of child labour into sectoral programmes and strategies. In particular, child labour needs to be integrated into the Agriculture Sector Wide Approach (ASWAP), and other relevant policies for agriculture and rural development, and addressed in a systematic way.

Child labour is a serious concern for Malawi, although recent estimates show some reduction in the prevalence of child labour. The child labour survey conducted in 2002 revealed 37 percent prevalence while the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) report (2010) depicts 26.7 percent prevalence rate. Data indicates that approximately 53.5 percent of child labour is found in agriculture, fisheries and forestry. The recent baseline survey conducted in 2011 by International Labour Organization (ILO) showed that approximately 23 percent, 29.6 percent and 40 percent of children were involved in child labour in Mulanje, Kasungu and Mzimba districts respectively. Although the survey methods were different in all the three, it still shows some reduction in the prevalence of child labour. Many children are involved in hazardous tasks. Adopting and implementing policies that explicitly address child labour in agriculture is a strong signal internally and externally about government’s commitment to curb the problem. Agriculture is the backbone of Malawi’s economy, contributing to about 80 percent of employment, and as such sustainable agricultural development is key to achieve national development objectives, reach the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) on poverty reduction and food security, and Decent Work.

The following narrative version of the Action Plan on the Elimination of Child Labour in Agriculture highlights the key areas for action:

1. Policies, legislation and law enforcement

1.1 Formalize the structure of the Child Labour Unit within the organogram of the MoL with clear Terms of Reference, and provide capacity building to Child Labour Unit (CLU) based on a needs assessment Lead institution: MoL

1.2 Build capacity of MOAFS, MoL staff and all relevant stakeholders including sectoral employers’, agriculture workers’ and producers’ organizations in addressing child labour in agriculture Lead institution: MoL in collaboration with MoAFS, ECAM and MCTU

1.3 Enhance child labour monitoring system Lead Institution: MoL in collaboration with MoAFS and International Labour Organisation (ILO), National Smallholder Farmers Association (NASFAM) and Civil Society Agriculture Network (CISANET)

1.4 Appoint focal points on child labour in MoAFS and in agricultural stakeholders working with MoAFS Lead institution: MoAFS 1.5 Institute a reporting mechanism for all stakeholders to report to MoAFS and CLU on progress on child labour Lead Institution: MoL in collaboration with MoAFS, ECAM, MCTU

1.6 Advocate for approval of child labour policy Lead Institution: MoL in collaboration with MoAFS, ECAM, MCTU

1.7 Lobby for enactment of Tenancy Labour Bill Lead Institution: MoL,

1.8 Integrate child labour in agricultural and rural development policies Lead Institution: MoAFS in collaboration with CISANET

1.9 Undertake a national legislation review to identify existing gaps in coverage of agriculture and fisheries especially concerning family undertakings Lead Institution: MoAFS

1.10 Develop and implement educational policies to increase school attendance or minimise loss of schooling during agricultural peaks, including consideration of specific provisions in school calendars as a transitional measure and incentives for children and families to attend schools during seasonal peaks, where needed Lead Institution: Ministry of Education (MoE)

1.11 Revise education act of 1962 to include free compulsory education Lead Institution: MoE in collaboration with Ministry of Justice 2. Stakeholder coordination

2.1 Establish an effective coordination mechanism for a national steering committee and a technical committee on child labour, by all concerned ministries, at national and local level, based on a mapping of existing institutions. National Steering Committee to report to Office of the President and Cabinet (OPC) on child labour issues Lead Institution: MoL in collaboration with Nation Youth council,

Home Affairs, Ministry of Gender, Women and Development,

Coalition of NGOs, OPC

2.2 Build the capacity of District child labour committees and integrate child labour issues in their mandate, including district agriculture stakeholders, on child labour in agriculture Lead Institution: MoAFS in collaboration with MoL, DAES and MCTU

2.3 Review existing strategies to coordinate agricultural stakeholders and reinforce mechanism to coordinate through technical committee Lead Institution: MoAFS with support of MCTU

2.4 Mainstream child labour into Agriculture District Committees, District Executive Commitees, Village Development Committees, Trade Union Committees, Parents Teacher Association in education, Child protection committees and form technical working groups Lead Institution: MoAFS in collaboration with MoL, MoE and Malawi Congress of Trade Unions (MCTU)

3. Awareness and knowledge

3.1 Prepare a position paper on why it is important to address child labour for agriculture and rural development for Malawi Lead Institution: MoAFS

3.2 Continue to build capacity of managers and technical staff including extension workers of MoL and MoAFS through new and adapted training materials Lead Institution: MoL in collaboration with MoAFS, ILO, FAO, MoE, MoDP, MoG & MCTU

3.3 Establish a database and website for the CLU to share information on institutions and actions on child labour Lead institution: MoL with technical support from ILO

3.4 Integrate child labour in agriculture into data collections activities, specifically: Integrate child labour module in forthcoming labour survey, include age and sex disaggregated data in annual fisheries survey Lead Institution is MoL in collaboration with MoAFS, ILO, Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO), MCTU

3.5 Identify, document and pilot good practices in eliminating child labour in agriculture Lead Institution: MoL in collaboration with MoAFS, ILO, and FAO

3.6 Sensitise political and local leaders on risks and consequences of traditional engagement of children in agricultural activities, especially in the context of family undertakings and value of education, child work versus child labour. Lead Institution: MoL in collaboration with MoE and MoAFS

4. Livelihoods support at community and family level including education

4.1 Scale up child labour work at community and family level through mainstreaming in agricultural programmes, such as MoAFS extension services, Household Food Security Programme, Pesticide Board, Fisheries (Presidential initiative on aquaculture to scale up fish farming) etc. Lead Institution: MoAFS in collaboration with MoL , Ministry of Finance (MoF) and MCTU

4.2 Enhance sustainability of children’s withdrawal interventions with livelihoods support programmes e.g. income generation through community gardens, seed funds and Junior Farmer Field and Life Schools (JFFLS). In addition, establish repatriation fund Lead Institution: MoL in collaboration with MoAFS, MoE and Ministry of Gender (MoG)

4.3 Promote infrastructure development to reduce dependency on child labour (especially on the girl child) to undertake specific tasks such as fetching water and collecting firewood Lead Institution: MoL in collaboration with MoE 4.4 Integrate Occupational Safety Health (OSH) in Agricultural vocational training targeting youth in age group between 14 – 17 years and on working children Lead Institution: MoL in collaboration with MoAFS and MoE

Conclusion

The activity plan on better addressing child labour in agriculture was debated and endorsed during the National Child Labour Conference held in September 2012 in Lilongwe, Malawi. The plan provides an operational framework for all stakeholders involved on child labour issues in the agriculture sector. It fills the gap of the missing agricultural component in the NAP approved in 2010. The plan will be an addendum to the NAP up to 2016.

This plan will be reviewed during the next review of the NAP after 2016. It is therefore important for the ministries of Labour and Agriculture to work in collaboration to achieve the goals of the NAP.