BBC News Online: World: Africa

Malawi tobacco growers ban child labour

The Tobacco Association of Malawi says it has formed a task force to eliminate child labour on tobacco farms.

The association's vice-president Amin Mponda-Lungu said the practice was evil and had to stop.

Malawi has been accused of being the worst offender in the region for exploiting child labour.

The minimum working age in Malawi is fourteen, and those found breaking the law can be jailed for up to five years.

Tobacco provides seventy-percent of Malawi's foreign exchange earnings.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service