Renowned child rights activist Lucky Mbewe has asked government to ensure effective enforcement of the just passed Employment Amendment bill, which seeks to abolish the tenancy labour system, should President Lazarus Chakwera assent to the bill.

The bill is a deliberate move to help curb the malpractices of child and forced labour in tobacco estates.

Under the tenancy system, estate owners recruit farmers from distant districts to grow tobacco for them on their estates. The tenants are offered accommodation and food on monthly basis as a cut of the earnings from sales proceeds.

Mbewe commended Parliament for passing the legislation describing it as long overdue.

“The country is experiencing negative effects of delaying the law,” he said.

Mbewe called on law enforcement agencies to ensure that people are aware and adhering to the law to ensure that children’s rights are protected.