LLTC UPDATE ON THE THIRD PARTY ASSESSMENT IN MALAWIControl Union (CU) assessed Limbe Leaf Tobacco Company’s (LLTC) implementation of the AgriculturalLabour Practices (ALP) program in September, 2014. There were several adjustments needed to thereporting methodology and format which impacted the release of the report. LLTC appreciates the risks
identified by CU during the assessment and came up with an action plan undertaking various initiatives todeal with the risks and to improve the living and working conditions on farms from where LLTC sources its
tobacco. This report provides a brief overview of the progress made by LLTC on the implementation ofthe said action plans.
Program Management and Internal Processesi.

Field Technicians (FT’s)
The ALP structure has been enhanced to ensure that not only managers have sufficientunderstanding of the ALP program but also FT’s who are responsible for imparting knowledge tothe farmers and farming communities. There has therefore been enhanced and focused training toensure that the FTs are fully equipped to impart knowledge to farmers. FTs knowledge on the legal
minimum wage and definition of hazardous work and the ALP code has been enhanced through aModular Training Program. LLTC has retrained 104 FTs on all the seven principles and legal aspectsof the ALP code. To ensure an in-depth understanding of what comprises hazardous /light work, aHazardous/Light work list has been distributed to all FTs. The list has increased FT awareness onwhat tasks children can or cannot do. FTs have also been trained on farm monitoring proceduresand handling of Prompt Actions upon identification. A Prompt Actions List has been provided to allFTs.
Training of personnel in the ALP structure is ongoing.

ii.

ALP Committees
To increase community buy in of the ALP code, the ALP Committees play an important role. Toimprove the Committees’ efficiency, LLTC has trained 110 ALP Committees on the seven principlesof ALP code and on farm monitoring. 400 T-shirts with messages on child labor and safe
accommodation have been distributed to motivate the ALP Committees and spread the message
on child labor and safe accommodation. A well trained and competent ALP committee will be able
to train other farmers but also monitor and report breaches.

a) Internal Monitoringi.

Farm Profile
CU found that of the farms sampled, 91% had updated data of which 52% was accurate. To ensurethat there is data accuracy and continuous updates of farm profiles, LLTC through the IT agronomy
section trained 104 FT’s on farm monitoring, data capture and data accuracy.
ALP Communication to farmers
Communication to farmers is through one on one interaction with field employees, group training,
drama, distribution of leaflets as well as radio.
a. ALP & Green Tobacco Sickness (GTS) Leaflets
ALP and GTS Leaflets have been amended to include the recommended legal provisions. The
amended versions have been translated into local languages and distributed to farmers andfarmer wives.
b. Training
CU noted that levels of awareness on ALP principles amongst LLTC’s contracted farmers washighest for topics that had been prioritized (child labour and safe working environment). To
ensure that farmers have equal knowledge of the ALP principles, LLTC has trained 100% of
contracted farmers (11,732) on all ALP Principles. Training has been extended to farmer wives andchildren. 4,552 children were trained on child labor through school awareness programs.
The benefit of the farmer wives training under the Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLA)
has had ripple effects. Through the VSLA’s the farmer wives have acquired knowledge not only on
the seven principles of ALP but also on financial literacy. Farmer wives continue to learn aboutbusiness and investments. From the proceeds of their business they have managed to acquire
livestock, pay fees for their children in school and employ temporary labor.
Training was conducted through Individual and group training, radio skits and drama. 95 Drama
sessions and 164 radio skits have been aired. 2000 ALP Leaflets have been distributed tocommunicate the ALP rinciples to farmers and other people on the farms.

Figure1: Farmer training

Figure 2: VSLA in Rumphi

Figure 3: School awareness

Farm Level Initiatives

a. Child LaborLLTC has trained field staff, farmers, farmer wives and ALP Committees to increase theirawareness on child labor. Apart from training, LLTC continues to align its Corporate Social
Responsibility (CSR) budget to education activities and for the crop year 2017 CSR budget has 4classrooms, provision of learning materials to 3 primary schools and 3 Community Based Childcare
Centre (CBCC), a library and under 12 and under 15 primary football and netball for all Lilongwe
rural and urban schools among corporate responsibility projects.

Figure 4: Farmer in a VSLA in Kasungu

Support CBCC’sLLTC recognizes the vital role of early childhood development. The CBCC’s not only assist inchild hood development but also reduce the number of children exposed to hazardous workas parents are able to leave their children at the center and go to the field. Currently LLTC has
3 CBCC’s with over 300 children. In addition to the learning materials mentioned above, LLTC
has supported the CBCC’s with provision of nutritious porridge and play materials.

Figure 5: Chipeni CBCC-Dowa

Figure 6: Nutritious foodb. Safe work environment
LLTC considers a safe work environment as critical and as part of the ALP program trains farmers
on safe work environment. During the assessment, CU identified some gaps under Crop
Protection Agents (CPA), Green Tobacco Sickness and safe Accommodation. LLTC continues toimplement various initiatives to address safety on farms and has since the CU assessment
increased focus on training. As at date of this update:11732 contracted farmers and 2171 workers have been trained on GTS and prevention
methods.



5220 (87% of target) farmer wives trained on GTS and tasks which are considered hazardous
to pregnant and nursing mothers.
6453 Farmers have been trained on safe usage of CPA’s and provided with PPE and CPA
storage buckets.
2000 leaflets have been distributed to farmers.
69 drama sessions and 164 radio skits on GTS prevention and safe usage of CPAs have been
played and aired.

LLTC has trained 1269 farmers that hire labor on the need to provide adequate accommodation.

c. Income and Work Hours
To enhance farmer and worker awareness on the legal income and working hours, LLTC developed
template agreement for farmers and their workers. 5000 copies of the template have been
distributed. The template contains provisions of the minimum wage and a table to record wages
and legal working hours for ease of reference. To complement the contract templates, LLTC has
also distributed 2000 ALP leaflets again containing legal provisions on income and work hours tofarmers and members of VSLAs. 6,536 farmers and 2,171 workers have also been trained on
income and work hours.
d. Fair treatment
During the CU assessment it was found that some workers were unable to file grievances. LLTC
has taken an initiative to extend the functionality of the ALP Committees by mandating the ALP
Committees to also serve as a grievance mechanism body.
In addition, LLTC is planning an in-house help line that will act as a support mechanism. LLTC is in
the process of purchasing the toll line equipment.
These support mechanisms will help LLTC to reduce incidences of unfair treatment on the farms
as workers will be able to report grievances allowing for prompt solutions.
e. Forced LaborLLTC continues to monitor incidents of forced labour on farmers during farm visits as well as
sensitizing farmers on what would constitute forced labour. 2055 farmers have been trained.
f.

Freedom of Association
To ensure that workers have the freedom to associate, LLTC has trained 1309 farmers and 2171
workers on freedom of association.

g. Compliance with the Law
CU found that some workers were not informed of their rights and duties in the workplace. Toavoid abuse of workers in the workplace, LLTC has trained 1220 farmers on the importance ofhaving written agreements with their workers and as stated above has distributed 5000 farmerworker contract templates to encourage written agreements between farmers and workers.
Conclusion
LLTCs ongoing commitment to bring ALP code awareness to tobacco farming communities and inparticular LLTCs contracted farmers continues to entrench the principles of the ALP code. Thiscommitment capacitates farmers and farming communities to make decisions that significantly
contribute to child labour elimination. Child labour elimination and implementation of fair labour
practices require a multi-sector and a multipronged approach, to that effect LLTC continues to engage
with relevant government ministries and other stakeholders in the supply chain. Sustainable progress
will require each stakeholder to appreciate its role and to take responsibility. LLTC is committed to do
its part and share best practices.
The multipronged approach of sensitizing, providing education infrastructure, imparting financial
literacy, introducing child care centers among other initiatives is providing positive results. LLTC willcontinue to invest in these initiatives to ensure action plans addressing the risks identified by CU are
fully achieved and the ALP code is fully entrenched in the communities from where LLTC sources its
tobacco.