Minister of Labor Vitumbiko Mumba has ordered the closure of Field 17A at Makande Tea Estates in Thyolo due to non-compliance with employment laws and workers’ rights regulations.
Speaking during an inspection operation at the estate, Mumba emphasized that the government will not tolerate practices that tarnish the reputation of Malawi’s tea industry on the international market. He revealed that last year, Malawi had to respond to a case at the International Labor Organization (ILO) regarding sexual harassment in tea estates.
“The government cannot afford to police every company, but we will not hesitate to act when violations are discovered,” Mumba stated.
The minister has issued a seven-day prohibition order, requiring the company to address safety, scale weighing, and hygiene issues. He stressed that these concerns are making Malawi tea less competitive globally and must be resolved immediately.
In response, Joe Palani, Group Superintendent-Tea at Makande Estates, assured that the company will take collective measures to rectify the identified problems and ensure compliance with the regulations.
This development underscores the government’s commitment to safeguarding workers’ rights and enhancing the global competitiveness of Malawi’s tea industry.
