Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs Charles Mhango has today appealed that workers in all sectors of employment in the country must have their rights respected by employers and their dignity preserved.
The Minister made this remark when he opened a Validation Workshop for Malawi's National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights at Capital Hill in Lilongwe.
The Ministry of Justice and the Malawi Human Rights Commission, through the Business and Human Rights Steering Committee and with support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), have led the National Action Plan process through stakeholder engagement, technical support, and a comprehensive National Baseline Assessment.
UNDP’s involvement has been pivotal in aligning Malawi’s efforts with the broader African Union Agenda 2063, which envisions “The Africa We Want.”
The National Action Plan is structured around key pillars of the 2063 agenda, including growth and sustainable development, good governance and respect for human rights, peace and security, and the empowerment of Africa’s people.
By embedding these pillars into the plan, UNDP ensures that Malawi’s path toward protecting workers’ rights is not only nationally relevant but also regionally and globally resonant.
Through this collaboration, the National Action Plan seeks to create a framework where businesses operate responsibly, workers’ dignity is safeguarded, and Malawi advances toward its long-term vision of a just, inclusive, and prosperous society by 2063.
Also present at the opening were UNDP Resident Representative Ms. Fenella Frost, Solicitor General and Secretary for Justice Gertrude Hiwa, SC, and Malawi Human Rights Commission (MHRC) Commissioner Rosemary Kumitsonyo Kanyuka, all of whom delivered remarks underscoring the importance of safeguarding human rights within business practices.
High Court Judge Professor Redson Kapindu, serving as consultant on the National Action Plan, gave a comprehensive presentation of the Plan to participants. The audience included human rights activists, representatives of employers from key sectors such as tea estates and mining, and other stakeholders committed to advancing responsible business conduct in Malawi.
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