By Flora Mitumba

Ministry of Labour, Youth, Sports and Manpower Development has asked communities to join hands in fighting child labour.

Grace Chiumia Minister of Labour said the remarks in Lilongwe during the opening of an International Labour Organization project.

In her speech Chiumia said there is a need of communities to take part and help government in fighting child labour.

She further added that posing threats to owners of estates not to recruit children cannot effectively eliminate child labour.

“The process of restraining recruitment of children in tea and coffee estates alone will not effectively eliminate child labour in the country,” Chiumia said

She further said that fighting child labour should start at a household level.

 “To effectively eliminate Child labour, inspection should start from household level,” she said.

The international Labour Project is aimed at accelerating action for the elimination

of child labour in supply chain in Africa.