Police in Chileka, Blantyre, have taken action against the alarming issue of child labor by arresting four individuals accused of employing 42 children who were selling goods on the streets.
Spokesperson for Chileka Police station, Jonathan Phillipo has confirmed the development and said the arrests occurred when the children were found selling cooked food during school hours.
“These four were found engaging children in selling goods while they should have been in school, which infringes upon children’s rights,” Phillipo said. “Some of these children were located at their homes, and we have warned their parents that if their children are found selling goods again, these individuals will be arrested.”
In a related statement, Memory Chisenga, a child rights advocate, expressed concern that some parents send their children to work instead of school to earn money. “It is unfortunate that some parents are making their children work for income,” Chisenga said.
She added that many of the children involved in such labor come from difficult backgrounds or are orphans, and they receive insufficient wages compared to the work they perform.
Upholding children’s rights is crucial, and the police are working to protect children from being exploited for labor, ensuring they have better opportunities for education and future employment.
NPL
