The President was speaking in Lilongwe during commemorations for this year’s World Day Against Child Labour. Professor Mutharika warned those who employ under aged children that the law will take its course.

“If we care about our country, we must care about our children, if we care about our future we must value the dignity of our children,” said Mutharika adding that children are the most important resource and the future of Malawi depends on what we do as a country.

The Malawi Leader said child labour disturbs the future of children. The President said cheap labour which many companies look for has brought the increase of child labour in Malawi and beyond the globe.

The President said child labour is evil and is a crime against the future of any country.

“Child labour is evil; it takes away children’s dignity and their rights as human beings. Child labour is a crime against future generations,” said Mutharika adding that child labour damages children physical, social, mental and psychological development.

Besides, President Mutharika has called for concerted efforts among Malawians to ensure children are not abused in the country.

This year’s commemoration falls under the theme: Child Labour and Supply Chains with the slogan “End Child Labour in Supply Chains, It’s Everyone’s Business’.

Meanwhile, Government of Malawi is committed to end child labour as it has put in place the necessary legislation and policy framework for the protection of children against child labour. These include the Employment Act; the Occupational Safety Health and Welfare Act; the Labour Relations Act; the Child Care, Protection and Justice Act; the Trafficking in Persons Act and the List of Hazardous Work.