Worst Forms of Child Labour Data

Malawi Region Africa Population 10,640,000 Population under 18 5,738,000

Total Child Labour NATIONAL STATISTICS * For the year 2000, the ILO projects that there will be 445,000 economically active children between the ages of 10-14, representing 31.49% of this age group, 216,000 girls and 229,000 boys. (ILO, International Labour Office - Bureau of Statistics, Economically Active Population 1950-2010, STAT Working Paper, ILO 1997) * In 1995, there were 428,000 economically active children between the ages of 10-14, representing 35.18% of this age group. Of these, 208,000 were girls and 220,000 were boys. (ILO, International Labour Office - Bureau of Statistics, Economically Active Population 1950-2010, STAT Working Paper, ILO 1997) * The labour force participation rate of children aged 10-14 is estimated at 53%. (ILO-IPEC, Child Labour In Commercial Agriculture In Malawi, 27-30 August 1996, citing National Statistical Office Labour Force Survey, 1983) GENERAL NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS * While accurate systematic data is lacking, some work has been done indicating that child labour in Malawi is widespread and increasing. Child labour is found in several sectors including large commercial farms, smallholdings, domestic work, micro industries and the informal sector. (IUF/ITGA/BAT - Child Labour in the Tobacco Growing Sector in Africa , Line Eldring, Sabata Nakanyane, Malehoko Tshoaedi, Nairobi 8-9 October 2000) * There is significant child labour on tobacco and tea farms, subsistence farms, and in domestic service. (US Dept of State, Country Reports on Human Rights Practices - 1999, 25 February 2000) Child Slavery GENERAL NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS * A local NGO has reported that in urban areas it is not uncommon to find young girls working as domestic servants, receiving little or no wages, and existing in a state of indentured servitude. (US Dept of State, Country Reports on Human Rights Practices - 1999, 25 February 2000) Child Trafficking - Child Prostitution and Pornography - Children in Crime - Child Soldiers RECRUITMENT LAWS AND REGULATIONS * Recruitment into armed forces is generally on a voluntary basis and the minimum age is 18 years. (CSUCS, Africa Report, April 1999, citing War Resisters' International, The CONCODOC Project, 1998) NOTES ON GOVERNMENT FORCES * There are no indications of under-18s in government armed forces. (CSUCS, Global Report on Child Soldiers - 2001) Domestic Child Servants GENERAL NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS * A local NGO has reported that in urban areas it is not uncommon to find young girls working as domestic servants, receiving little or no wages, and existing in a state of indentured servitude. (US Dept of State, Country Reports on Human Rights Practices - 1999, 25 February 2000) * There is significant child labour in domestic service. (EI, EI Barometer on Human and Trade Union Rights in the Education Sector, 1998) Other Hazardous Child Labour GENERAL NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS * There is significant child labour on tobacco and tea farms and in domestic service. (US Dept of State, Country Reports on Human Rights Practices - 1999, 25 February 2000) SPECIFIC SECTORS * Commercial Agriculture - In 1993, a study in Malawi found that the majority of children living on tobacco estates were working full or part time, 78% were 10-14 years old and 55% were 7-9 years old. (UNICEF, State of the World's Children, 1997) * Commercial Agriculture - Children below 15 account for about 22% of the total permanent labour force, and 23% of the casual labour force on tobacco estates. (ILO-IPEC, Child Labour In Commercial Agriculture In Malawi, 27-30 August 1996, citing Beyond Dualism: The changing face of the household estate sub-sector in Malawi, Research Report, 1990) * Street Children - The problem of street children worsened in 1997 as the number of orphans whose parents died from HIV/AIDS increased. (EI, EI Barometer on Human and Trade Union Rights in the Education Sector, 1998)