[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"page:en-mw\u002Fwork-in-malawi\u002Flabour-law\u002Ffair-treatment\u002Fforced-labour":3},{"id":4,"slug":5,"title":6,"short_title":7,"intro_text":8,"meta_description":9,"seo_title":10,"path":11,"content_type":12,"locale":13,"go_live_at":7,"first_published_at":14,"page_created_at":15,"published_at":14,"edit_url":16,"breadcrumbs":17,"seo":31,"rendered":40,"description":41,"body":42,"body_blocks":43,"call_to_action":44,"owner":51,"authors":59,"show_related_pages":61,"related_pages":62,"related_sites":130,"in_subsite":61,"contact_page_url":7,"banner_message":131},441,"forced-labour","Forced Labour",null,"","Malawi’s labour laws prohibit forced labour and protect workers from exploitation. Learn how the law safeguards freedom and fair working conditions.","Labour Laws Malawi: Forced Labour","\u002Fen-mw\u002Fwork-in-malawi\u002Flabour-law\u002Ffair-treatment\u002Fforced-labour","labourlaw.labourlawpage","en_MW","2025-07-26T11:32:47.813459+00:00","2026-04-08T11:37:32.302691+00:00","\u002Fcms\u002Fpages\u002F441\u002Fedit\u002F",[18,21,24,27,30],{"title":19,"slug":20},"Malawi","en-mw",{"title":22,"slug":23},"Work in Malawi","work-in-malawi",{"title":25,"slug":26},"Labour Law","labour-law",{"title":28,"slug":29},"Fair Treatment","fair-treatment",{"title":6,"slug":5},{"title":32,"description":9,"image":33,"canonical":34,"robots":35,"og_type":36,"twitter_card":37,"locale":20,"created_at":38,"last_modified_at":39},"Forced Labour, Slavery - Malawi","https:\u002F\u002Fwageindicator.org\u002Fmedia\u002Fimages\u002FSocial_media_preview_image_-_2025.2e16d0ba.fill-1200x630.png","https:\u002F\u002Fwageindicator.org\u002Fen-mw\u002Fwork-in-malawi\u002Flabour-law\u002Ffair-treatment\u002Fforced-labour\u002F","index, follow","website","summary_large_image","2025-07-26T13:32:47.813459+02:00","2026-04-08T13:37:32.510564+02:00","\u003Cdiv class=\"cobra-ll-view\">\n\n  \n\n    \n    \n  \n  \u003Ch1>Forced Labour\u003C\u002Fh1>\n  \u003Cspan class=\"lastupdated\">This page was last updated on:\n      2026-03-26\u003C\u002Fspan>\n\n  \n\n    \n\n    \n      \n        \n          \n    \n    \n    \n        \u003Cdiv class=\"teaserItem\">\n          \u003Ch2>Prohibition on Forced and Compulsory Labour\u003C\u002Fh2>\n          \u003Cp>The Constitution states that no person will be held in slavery or servitude; that slavery and the slave trade are prohibited; that no person will be subject to forced or tied labour that amounts to servitude.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Employment Amendment Act of 2021 prohibits forced or tenancy labour. Under the Employment Act, “forced labour” means any work or service that is exacted from any person under the threat of any penalty and is not offered voluntarily. Furthermore, no person will be required to perform forced labour, and any person who exacts or imposes forced or tenancy labour or causes or permits forced or tenancy labour is guilty of an offence and liable to a fine of MK 5 million and imprisonment for five years.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under the Penal Code, any person who unlawfully compels any person to labour against the will of that person will be guilty of a misdemeanour (a minor offence).\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Child Care, protection and Justice Act, 2010 stipulates that any person involved in recruitment, transaction or transfer a child for the purpose of exploitation is engaged in child trafficking. The act of child trafficking is punishable with life imprisonment. This Act prohibits forced labour and subjecting a child to immoral practices. Pledging a child as security (on loans) is forbidden by the law.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A person involved in child trafficking is liable to imprisonment of 21 years without an option of paying any fine. A person involved in trafficking of another person, commits an offence and is liable for punishment of 14 years without the option of paying any fine against punishment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Source:\u003C\u002Fstrong> §27 of the Constitution of Malawi 1994; §3-4 of the Employment Act (No. 6 of 2000), last amended in 2021; §269 of the Penal Code1930, last amended in 2023; §14 & 15 of the Trafficking in Persons Act 2015, last amended in 2021\u003C\u002Fp>\n        \u003C\u002Fdiv>\n    \n\n\n        \n      \n        \n          \n    \n    \n    \n        \u003Cdiv class=\"teaserItem\">\n          \u003Ch2>Freedom to Change Jobs and Right to Quit\u003C\u002Fh2>\n          \u003Cp>As mentioned above, the law of Malawi prohibits the use of forced or compulsory labour and guarantees the right to work. A worker has the right to terminate his\u002Fher employment relationship after serving due notice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The minimum period of notice in respect of a contract of employment for a specified period of time is fourteen calendar days. For more details on this, please refer to the section on employment security.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Source:\u003C\u002Fstrong>  §27-30 of the Constitution of Malawi 1994; §29 of the Employment Act (No. 6 of 2000), last amended in 2021\u003C\u002Fp>\n        \u003C\u002Fdiv>\n    \n\n\n        \n      \n        \n          \n    \n    \n    \n        \u003Cdiv class=\"teaserItem\">\n          \u003Ch2>Inhumane Working Conditions\u003C\u002Fh2>\n          \u003Cp>The normal working hours are 48 hours per week. The Employment Act sets the premium pay for overtime hours; however, it does not set the overtime hour limits.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For more information, please refer to the section on Compensation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Source:\u003C\u002Fstrong>  §36 & 39 of the Employment Act (No. 6 of 2000), last amended in 2021\u003C\u002Fp>\n        \u003C\u002Fdiv>\n    \n\n\n        \n      \n    \n\n    \n      \n    \n      \u003Cdiv class=\"regulations\">\n        \u003Ch2>Regulations on Forced Labour\u003C\u002Fh2>\n        \u003Cul>\n          \u003Cli>\n            Constitution of Malawi 1994\n          \u003C\u002Fli>\n          \u003Cli>\n            Employment Act (No. 6 of 2000), last amended in 2010\n          \u003C\u002Fli>\n          \u003Cli>\n            Trafficking in Persons Act, 2015\n          \u003C\u002Fli>\n          \u003Cli>\n            Penal Code\n          \u003C\u002Fli>\n          \u003Cli>\n            Penal Code\n          \u003C\u002Fli>\n        \u003C\u002Ful>\n      \u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\n    \n    \n    \n      \n    \n    \u003Cdiv class=\"related\">\n      \u003Ch2>Related Items\u003C\u002Fh2>\n      \n          _ll_fairtreatment_URL_\n      \n    \u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\n    \n\n  \n\n    \n    \n\n  \n\n  \n  \n\n  \n    \u003Cstyle>\n\n      h1, h2, h3 {\n      font-weight: bold;\n      margin-top: 20px;\n      margin-bottom: 10px;\n      }\n      \n      .related a {\n        display:block;\n        border: 1px solid transparent;\n      }\n\n      ul ol, ol ol, ol ul {\n      font-size: 100%;\n      }\n\n    \u003C\u002Fstyle>\n\n  \n\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>","Your rights: forced labour in Malawi – .","\u003Cdiv>\n\n\u003Cspan>This page was last updated on:\n      2026-03-26\u003C\u002Fspan>\n\u003Cdiv>\n\u003Ch2>Prohibition on Forced and Compulsory Labour\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\u003Cp>The Constitution states that no person will be held in slavery or servitude; that slavery and the slave trade are prohibited; that no person will be subject to forced or tied labour that amounts to servitude.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Employment Amendment Act of 2021 prohibits forced or tenancy labour. Under the Employment Act, “forced labour” means any work or service that is exacted from any person under the threat of any penalty and is not offered voluntarily. Furthermore, no person will be required to perform forced labour, and any person who exacts or imposes forced or tenancy labour or causes or permits forced or tenancy labour is guilty of an offence and liable to a fine of MK 5 million and imprisonment for five years.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under the Penal Code, any person who unlawfully compels any person to labour against the will of that person will be guilty of a misdemeanour (a minor offence).\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Child Care, protection and Justice Act, 2010 stipulates that any person involved in recruitment, transaction or transfer a child for the purpose of exploitation is engaged in child trafficking. The act of child trafficking is punishable with life imprisonment. This Act prohibits forced labour and subjecting a child to immoral practices. Pledging a child as security (on loans) is forbidden by the law.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A person involved in child trafficking is liable to imprisonment of 21 years without an option of paying any fine. A person involved in trafficking of another person, commits an offence and is liable for punishment of 14 years without the option of paying any fine against punishment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Source:\u003C\u002Fstrong> §27 of the Constitution of Malawi 1994; §3-4 of the Employment Act (No. 6 of 2000), last amended in 2021; §269 of the Penal Code1930, last amended in 2023; §14 & 15 of the Trafficking in Persons Act 2015, last amended in 2021\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\u003Cdiv>\n\u003Ch2>Freedom to Change Jobs and Right to Quit\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\u003Cp>As mentioned above, the law of Malawi prohibits the use of forced or compulsory labour and guarantees the right to work. A worker has the right to terminate his\u002Fher employment relationship after serving due notice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The minimum period of notice in respect of a contract of employment for a specified period of time is fourteen calendar days. For more details on this, please refer to the section on employment security.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Source:\u003C\u002Fstrong>  §27-30 of the Constitution of Malawi 1994; §29 of the Employment Act (No. 6 of 2000), last amended in 2021\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\u003Cdiv>\n\u003Ch2>Inhumane Working Conditions\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\u003Cp>The normal working hours are 48 hours per week. The Employment Act sets the premium pay for overtime hours; however, it does not set the overtime hour limits.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For more information, please refer to the section on Compensation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Source:\u003C\u002Fstrong>  §36 & 39 of the Employment Act (No. 6 of 2000), last amended in 2021\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\u003Cdiv>\n\u003Ch2>Regulations on Forced Labour\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\u003Cul>\n\u003Cli>\n            Constitution of Malawi 1994\n          \u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>\n            Employment Act (No. 6 of 2000), last amended in 2010\n          \u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>\n            Trafficking in Persons Act, 2015\n          \u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>\n            Penal Code\n          \u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>\n            Penal Code\n          \u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003C\u002Ful>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\u003Cdiv>\n\u003Ch2>Related Items\u003C\u002Fh2>\n      \n          \u003Ca href='\u002Fen-mw\u002Fwork-in-malawi\u002Flabour-law\u002Ffair-treatment'>Labour Laws Malawi: Fair Treatment\u003C\u002Fa>\n      \n    \u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\u003Cstyle>\n\n      h1, h2, h3 {\n      font-weight: bold;\n      margin-top: 20px;\n      margin-bottom: 10px;\n      }\n      \n      .related a {\n        display:block;\n        border: 1px solid transparent;\n      }\n\n      ul ol, ol ol, ol ul {\n      font-size: 100%;\n      }\n\n    \u003C\u002Fstyle>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>",[],{"text":45,"link":46},"Contact Us",{"title":45,"url":47,"description":45,"rel":48,"type":49,"id":50},"\u002Fabout\u002Fcontact","follow","internal",24590,{"id":52,"first_name":53,"last_name":54,"email":55,"image":56,"function":57,"external":58},2,"Gunjan","Pandya","gunjanpandya@wageindicator.org","https:\u002F\u002Fwageindicator.org\u002Fmedia\u002Fimages\u002FGunjan-Pandya-ED_PhPZSyI.width-400.jpg","IT Specialist and Global Webmaster",false,[60],{"id":52,"first_name":53,"last_name":54,"email":55,"image":56,"function":57,"external":58},true,[63,67,71,75,79,83,87,91,95,99,103,107,111,115,118,122,126],{"id":64,"short_title":7,"title":65,"url":66},425,"Compensation and Working Time","\u002Fen-mw\u002Fwork-in-malawi\u002Flabour-law\u002Fcompensation-and-working-time",{"id":68,"short_title":7,"title":69,"url":70},426,"Annual Leave and Holidays","\u002Fen-mw\u002Fwork-in-malawi\u002Flabour-law\u002Fannual-leave-and-holidays",{"id":72,"short_title":7,"title":73,"url":74},427,"Contracts and Dismissals","\u002Fen-mw\u002Fwork-in-malawi\u002Flabour-law\u002Fcontracts-and-dismissals",{"id":76,"short_title":7,"title":77,"url":78},428,"Notice and Severance","\u002Fen-mw\u002Fwork-in-malawi\u002Flabour-law\u002Fcontracts-and-dismissals\u002Fnotice-and-severance",{"id":80,"short_title":7,"title":81,"url":82},429,"Family Responsibilities","\u002Fen-mw\u002Fwork-in-malawi\u002Flabour-law\u002Ffamily-responsibilities",{"id":84,"short_title":7,"title":85,"url":86},430,"Maternity and Work","\u002Fen-mw\u002Fwork-in-malawi\u002Flabour-law\u002Fmaternity-and-work",{"id":88,"short_title":7,"title":89,"url":90},431,"Job Protection","\u002Fen-mw\u002Fwork-in-malawi\u002Flabour-law\u002Fmaternity-and-work\u002Fjob-protection",{"id":92,"short_title":7,"title":93,"url":94},432,"Breastfeeding","\u002Fen-mw\u002Fwork-in-malawi\u002Flabour-law\u002Fmaternity-and-work\u002Fbreastfeeding",{"id":96,"short_title":7,"title":97,"url":98},433,"Health and Safety","\u002Fen-mw\u002Fwork-in-malawi\u002Flabour-law\u002Fhealth-and-safety",{"id":100,"short_title":7,"title":101,"url":102},434,"Sick Leave","\u002Fen-mw\u002Fwork-in-malawi\u002Flabour-law\u002Fsick-leave",{"id":104,"short_title":7,"title":105,"url":106},435,"Work Injury Benefits","\u002Fen-mw\u002Fwork-in-malawi\u002Flabour-law\u002Fsick-leave\u002Fwork-injury-benefits",{"id":108,"short_title":7,"title":109,"url":110},436,"Social Security","\u002Fen-mw\u002Fwork-in-malawi\u002Flabour-law\u002Fsocial-security",{"id":112,"short_title":7,"title":113,"url":114},437,"Unemployment Benefits","\u002Fen-mw\u002Fwork-in-malawi\u002Flabour-law\u002Fsocial-security\u002Funemployment-benefits",{"id":116,"short_title":7,"title":28,"url":117},438,"\u002Fen-mw\u002Fwork-in-malawi\u002Flabour-law\u002Ffair-treatment",{"id":119,"short_title":7,"title":120,"url":121},439,"Sexual Harassment","\u002Fen-mw\u002Fwork-in-malawi\u002Flabour-law\u002Ffair-treatment\u002Fsexual-harassment",{"id":123,"short_title":7,"title":124,"url":125},440,"Minors and Youth","\u002Fen-mw\u002Fwork-in-malawi\u002Flabour-law\u002Ffair-treatment\u002Fminors-and-youth",{"id":127,"short_title":7,"title":128,"url":129},442,"Trade Unions","\u002Fen-mw\u002Fwork-in-malawi\u002Flabour-law\u002Ftrade-unions",[],"\u003Cp>MyWage is WageIndicator. Same organisation, same information, new look!\u003C\u002Fp>"]