In recent weeks, a surge of government inspections across various sectors in Malawi has taken both citizens and businesses by surprise.

Minister of Labour Vitumbiko Mumba has been on the ground, inspecting work premises, estates and business premises to assess the working conditions and ensure general adherence to labour laws.

This newfound zeal to inspect and enforce regulations is a welcome development, but it also raises many questions about why this crucial exercise has been largely ignored for so long.

For a country that is continually grappling with issues of workers’ rights, low wages, exploitation and inadequate working conditions, it is baffling that it has taken this long for government bodies to step up their efforts in enforcing labour laws.

Historically, the enforcement of labour standards and workplace regulations in Malawi has been inconsistent at best, with government officials often turning a blind eye to the realities of unsafe working environments, exploitation and even human rights abuses in certain sectors.

The wave of inspections has drawn attention to the dissonance between the government’s new-found energy and the persistent neglect that has characterized labour rights enforcement in the past.

The question arises: why now? What has prompted this sudden interest in monitoring and ensuring that work environments comply with basic standards of safety, fairness and legal obligations?

Historically, the Ministry of Labour, as well as other government bodies responsible for workplace standards, have been accused of laxity and ineffectiveness.

There have been numerous reports of unscrupulous business owners exploiting workers without any repercussions, while the enforcement of safety standards in industrial and commercial settings has been nearly non-existent.

The reality is that for years, workers have faced deplorable conditions without much recourse.

Long working hours, unsafe equipment, lack of proper sanitation and unregulated wages are rampant in many sectors, especially in the informal economy.

Now, however, it seems that Labour Minister Vitumbiko Mumba’s leadership has awakened the spirit of active government oversight and responsiveness.

His recent actions have set a precedent for other departments to follow suit in addressing regulatory gaps and ensuring that employers comply with the law. With his office driving the agenda, there is now an apparent effort to hold both public and private sector employers accountable for their treatment of workers.

The decision to inspect work premises, estates and business operations is not merely a symbolic gesture; it carries significant weight in terms of improving workers’ conditions, ensuring safety and upholding legal frameworks.

Inspections help identify and address violations of the law, especially