By Chisomo Phiri
Minister of Labour Agnes Nyalonje has urged authorities in the country to establish concerted efforts that can help the elimination of violence and harassment in Small Medium Enterprises (SMEs).
Nyalonje made the remarks on Thursday in Salima on the sidelines of a half day workshop targeting Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) on the International Labor Organization convention 190 which focuses on elimination of violence and harassment in work places.
According to Nyalonje, 89% of Malawians are employed in informal sectors where working environment is unfavorable to most employees.
The Minister added that if Malawi embraces the ILOs convention 190 there will be a huge change on issues of harassment and unfavorable working conditions.
“Let us establish concerted efforts that can completely eliminate violences and harassments in working places,” said Nyalonje.
In her remarks, President for Employers Consultative Association of Malawi (ECAM) Annie Chavula, described the meeting as progressive in addressing labour related challenges.
“The meetings like this one are important and there is need to conduct them more frequently so that we have a conducive working environment for everyone,” she said.
In its action to end the rise of sexual harassment cases among female employees in the country, in 2018 the Malawi Government launched Ndiulula campaign, which is aimed at promoting the spirit of reporting harassment cases in work places about.
But still there is no hope as currently,only 45 sexual harassment cases have been reported, a development which shows that the vice is still on rise.
