One of the seasoned child rights activists in the country has called on government to step up its efforts and prioritize investing in interventions aimed at eliminating child labour.

Lucky Mbewe made the call following the suspension of Malawi’s tobacco exports to the United States of America (USA) over allegations of rampant cases of child labor in the county’s tobacco growing estates.

Speaking to YFM, Mbewe said this is a wakeup call to the nation at large hence the need to intensify efforts to end the vice.

“This suspension should be a wake up call to the nation. It’s time the country starts to critically look at such issues and find lasting solutions to the vice,” he said.

“The country already has some interventions on the ground complementing government’s efforts on ending child labor, but its high time government takes a stock to see where the gaps are,” added Mbewe.

The outspoken activist said government should also maximize this time to look at issues of law enforcement and make amendments where possible.

Reports indicate that 38% of children in Malawi are involved in child labor in tea and tobacco growing areas.