Keep Us Strong WikiLeaks logo

Currently released so far... 143912 / 251,287

Articles

Browse latest releases

Browse by creation date

Browse by origin

A B C D F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y Z

Browse by tag

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
AORC AS AF AM AJ ASEC AU AMGT APER ACOA ASEAN AG AFFAIRS AR AFIN ABUD AO AEMR ADANA AMED AADP AINF ARF ADB ACS AE AID AL AC AGR ABLD AMCHAMS AECL AINT AND ASIG AUC APECO AFGHANISTAN AY ARABL ACAO ANET AFSN AZ AFLU ALOW ASSK AFSI ACABQ AMB APEC AIDS AA ATRN AMTC AVIATION AESC ASSEMBLY ADPM ASECKFRDCVISKIRFPHUMSMIGEG AGOA ASUP AFPREL ARNOLD ADCO AN ACOTA AODE AROC AMCHAM AT ACKM ASCH AORCUNGA AVIANFLU AVIAN AIT ASECPHUM ATRA AGENDA AIN AFINM APCS AGENGA ABDALLAH ALOWAR AFL AMBASSADOR ARSO AGMT ASPA AOREC AGAO ARR AOMS ASC ALIREZA AORD AORG ASECVE ABER ARABBL ADM AMER ALVAREZ AORCO ARM APERTH AINR AGRI ALZUGUREN ANGEL ACDA AEMED ARC AMGMT AEMRASECCASCKFLOMARRPRELPINRAMGTJMXL ASECAFINGMGRIZOREPTU ABMC AIAG ALJAZEERA ASR ASECARP ALAMI APRM ASECM AMPR AEGR AUSTRALIAGROUP ASE AMGTHA ARNOLDFREDERICK AIDAC AOPC ANTITERRORISM ASEG AMIA ASEX AEMRBC AFOR ABT AMERICA AGENCIES AGS ADRC ASJA AEAID ANARCHISTS AME AEC ALNEA AMGE AMEDCASCKFLO AK ANTONIO ASO AFINIZ ASEDC AOWC ACCOUNT ACTION AMG AFPK AOCR AMEDI AGIT ASOC ACOAAMGT AMLB AZE AORCYM AORL AGRICULTURE ACEC AGUILAR ASCC AFSA ASES ADIP ASED ASCE ASFC ASECTH AFGHAN ANTXON APRC AFAF AFARI ASECEFINKCRMKPAOPTERKHLSAEMRNS AX ALAB ASECAF ASA ASECAFIN ASIC AFZAL AMGTATK ALBE AMT AORCEUNPREFPRELSMIGBN AGUIRRE AAA ABLG ARCH AGRIC AIHRC ADEL AMEX ALI AQ ATFN AORCD ARAS AINFCY AFDB ACBAQ AFDIN AOPR AREP ALEXANDER ALANAZI ABDULRAHMEN ABDULHADI ATRD AEIR AOIC ABLDG AFR ASEK AER ALOUNI AMCT AVERY ASECCASC ARG APR AMAT AEMRS AFU ATPDEA ALL ASECE ANDREW
EAIR ECON ETRD EAGR EAID EFIN ETTC ENRG EMIN ECPS EG EPET EINV ELAB EU ECONOMICS EC EZ EUN EN ECIN EWWT EXTERNAL ENIV ES ESA ELN EFIS EIND EPA ELTN EXIM ET EINT EI ER EAIDAF ETRO ETRDECONWTOCS ECTRD EUR ECOWAS ECUN EBRD ECONOMIC ENGR ECONOMY EFND ELECTIONS EPECO EUMEM ETMIN EXBS EAIRECONRP ERTD EAP ERGR EUREM EFI EIB ENGY ELNTECON EAIDXMXAXBXFFR ECOSOC EEB EINF ETRN ENGRD ESTH ENRC EXPORT EK ENRGMO ECO EGAD EXIMOPIC ETRDPGOV EURM ETRA ENERG ECLAC EINO ENVIRONMENT EFIC ECIP ETRDAORC ENRD EMED EIAR ECPN ELAP ETCC EAC ENEG ESCAP EWWC ELTD ELA EIVN ELF ETR EFTA EMAIL EL EMS EID ELNT ECPSN ERIN ETT EETC ELAN ECHEVARRIA EPWR EVIN ENVR ENRGJM ELBR EUC EARG EAPC EICN EEC EREL EAIS ELBA EPETUN EWWY ETRDGK EV EDU EFN EVN EAIDETRD ENRGTRGYETRDBEXPBTIOSZ ETEX ESCI EAIDHO EENV ETRC ESOC EINDQTRD EINVA EFLU EGEN ECE EAGRBN EON EFINECONCS EIAD ECPC ENV ETDR EAGER ETRDKIPR EWT EDEV ECCP ECCT EARI EINVECON ED ETRDEC EMINETRD EADM ENRGPARMOTRASENVKGHGPGOVECONTSPLEAID ETAD ECOM ECONETRDEAGRJA EMINECINECONSENVTBIONS ESSO ETRG ELAM ECA EENG EITC ENG ERA EPSC ECONEINVETRDEFINELABETRDKTDBPGOVOPIC EIPR ELABPGOVBN EURFOR ETRAD EUE EISNLN ECONETRDBESPAR ELAINE EGOVSY EAUD EAGRECONEINVPGOVBN EINVETRD EPIN ECONENRG EDRC ESENV EB ENER ELTNSNAR EURN ECONPGOVBN ETTF ENVT EPIT ESOCI EFINOECD ERD EDUC EUM ETEL EUEAID ENRGY ETD EAGRE EAR EAIDMG EE EET ETER ERICKSON EIAID EX EAG EBEXP ESTN EAIDAORC EING EGOV EEOC EAGRRP EVENTS ENRGKNNPMNUCPARMPRELNPTIAEAJMXL ETRDEMIN EPETEIND EAIDRW ENVI ETRDEINVECINPGOVCS EPEC EDUARDO EGAR EPCS EPRT EAIDPHUMPRELUG EPTED ETRB EPETPGOV ECONQH EAIDS EFINECONEAIDUNGAGM EAIDAR EAGRBTIOBEXPETRDBN ESF EINR ELABPHUMSMIGKCRMBN EIDN ETRK ESTRADA EXEC EAIO EGHG ECN EDA ECOS EPREL EINVKSCA ENNP ELABV ETA EWWTPRELPGOVMASSMARRBN EUCOM EAIDASEC ENR END EP ERNG ESPS EITI EINTECPS EAVI ECONEFINETRDPGOVEAGRPTERKTFNKCRMEAID ELTRN EADI ELDIN ELND ECRM EINVEFIN EAOD EFINTS EINDIR ENRGKNNP ETRDEIQ ETC EAIRASECCASCID EINN ETRP EAIDNI EFQ ECOQKPKO EGPHUM EBUD EAIT ECONEINVEFINPGOVIZ EWWI ENERGY ELB EINDETRD EMI ECONEAIR ECONEFIN EHUM EFNI EOXC EISNAR ETRDEINVTINTCS EIN EFIM EMW ETIO ETRDGR EMN EXO EATO EWTR ELIN EAGREAIDPGOVPRELBN EINVETC ETTD EIQ ECONCS EPPD ESS EUEAGR ENRGIZ EISL EUNJ EIDE ENRGSD ELAD ESPINOSA ELEC EAIG ESLCO ENTG ETRDECD EINVECONSENVCSJA EEPET EUNCH ECINECONCS
KPKO KIPR KWBG KPAL KDEM KTFN KNNP KGIC KTIA KCRM KDRG KWMN KJUS KIDE KSUM KTIP KFRD KMCA KMDR KCIP KTDB KPAO KPWR KOMC KU KIRF KCOR KHLS KISL KSCA KGHG KS KSTH KSEP KE KPAI KWAC KFRDKIRFCVISCMGTKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG KPRP KVPR KAWC KUNR KZ KPLS KN KSTC KMFO KID KNAR KCFE KRIM KFLO KCSA KG KFSC KSCI KFLU KMIG KRVC KV KVRP KMPI KNEI KAPO KOLY KGIT KSAF KIRC KNSD KBIO KHIV KHDP KBTR KHUM KSAC KACT KRAD KPRV KTEX KPIR KDMR KMPF KPFO KICA KWMM KICC KR KCOM KAID KINR KBCT KOCI KCRS KTER KSPR KDP KFIN KCMR KMOC KUWAIT KIPRZ KSEO KLIG KWIR KISM KLEG KTBD KCUM KMSG KMWN KREL KPREL KAWK KIMT KCSY KESS KWPA KNPT KTBT KCROM KPOW KFTN KPKP KICR KGHA KOMS KJUST KREC KOC KFPC KGLB KMRS KTFIN KCRCM KWNM KHGH KRFD KY KGCC KFEM KVIR KRCM KEMR KIIP KPOA KREF KJRE KRKO KOGL KSCS KGOV KCRIM KEM KCUL KRIF KCEM KITA KCRN KCIS KSEAO KWMEN KEANE KNNC KNAP KEDEM KNEP KHPD KPSC KIRP KUNC KALM KCCP KDEN KSEC KAYLA KIMMITT KO KNUC KSIA KLFU KLAB KTDD KIRCOEXC KECF KIPRETRDKCRM KNDP KIRCHOFF KJAN KFRDSOCIRO KWMNSMIG KEAI KKPO KPOL KRD KWMNPREL KATRINA KBWG KW KPPD KTIAEUN KDHS KRV KBTS KWCI KICT KPALAOIS KPMI KWN KTDM KWM KLHS KLBO KDEMK KT KIDS KWWW KLIP KPRM KSKN KTTB KTRD KNPP KOR KGKG KNN KTIAIC KSRE KDRL KVCORR KDEMGT KOMO KSTCC KMAC KSOC KMCC KCHG KSEPCVIS KGIV KPO KSEI KSTCPL KSI KRMS KFLOA KIND KPPAO KCM KRFR KICCPUR KFRDCVISCMGTCASCKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG KNNB KFAM KWWMN KENV KGH KPOP KFCE KNAO KTIAPARM KWMNKDEM KDRM KNNNP KEVIN KEMPI KWIM KGCN KUM KMGT KKOR KSMT KISLSCUL KNRV KPRO KOMCSG KLPM KDTB KFGM KCRP KAUST KNNPPARM KUNH KWAWC KSPA KTSC KUS KSOCI KCMA KTFR KPAOPREL KNNPCH KWGB KSTT KNUP KPGOV KUK KMNP KPAS KHMN KPAD KSTS KCORR KI KLSO KWNN KNP KPTD KESO KMPP KEMS KPAONZ KPOV KTLA KPAOKMDRKE KNMP KWMNCI KWUN KRDP KWKN KPAOY KEIM KGICKS KIPT KREISLER KTAO KJU KLTN KWMNPHUMPRELKPAOZW KEN KQ KWPR KSCT KGHGHIV KEDU KRCIM KFIU KWIC KNNO KILS KTIALG KNNA KMCAJO KINP KRM KLFLO KPA KOMCCO KKIV KHSA KDM KRCS KWBGSY KISLAO KNPPIS KNNPMNUC KCRI KX KWWT KPAM KVRC KERG KK KSUMPHUM KACP KSLG KIF KIVP KHOURY KNPR KUNRAORC KCOG KCFC KWMJN KFTFN KTFM KPDD KMPIO KCERS KDUM KDEMAF KMEPI KHSL KEPREL KAWX KIRL KNNR KOMH KMPT KISLPINR KADM KPER KTPN KSCAECON KA KJUSTH KPIN KDEV KCSI KNRG KAKA KFRP KTSD KINL KJUSKUNR KQM KQRDQ KWBC KMRD KVBL KOM KMPL KEDM KFLD KPRD KRGY KNNF KPROG KIFR KPOKO KM KWMNCS KAWS KLAP KPAK KHIB KOEM KDDG KCGC
PGOV PREL PK PTER PINR PO PHUM PARM PREF PINF PRL PM PINS PROP PALESTINIAN PE PBTS PNAT PHSA PL PA PSEPC POSTS POLITICS POLICY POL PU PAHO PHUMPGOV PGOG PARALYMPIC PGOC PNR PREFA PMIL POLITICAL PROV PRUM PBIO PAK POV POLG PAR POLM PHUMPREL PKO PUNE PROG PEL PROPERTY PKAO PRE PSOE PHAS PNUM PGOVE PY PIRF PRES POWELL PP PREM PCON PGOVPTER PGOVPREL PODC PTBS PTEL PGOVTI PHSAPREL PD PG PRC PVOV PLO PRELL PEPFAR PREK PEREZ PINT POLI PPOL PARTIES PT PRELUN PH PENA PIN PGPV PKST PROTESTS PHSAK PRM PROLIFERATION PGOVBL PAS PUM PMIG PGIC PTERPGOV PSHA PHM PHARM PRELHA PELOSI PGOVKCMABN PQM PETER PJUS PKK POUS PTE PGOVPRELPHUMPREFSMIGELABEAIDKCRMKWMN PERM PRELGOV PAO PNIR PARMP PRELPGOVEAIDECONEINVBEXPSCULOIIPBTIO PHYTRP PHUML PFOV PDEM PUOS PN PRESIDENT PERURENA PRIVATIZATION PHUH PIF POG PERL PKPA PREI PTERKU PSEC PRELKSUMXABN PETROL PRIL POLUN PPD PRELUNSC PREZ PCUL PREO PGOVZI POLMIL PERSONS PREFL PASS PV PETERS PING PQL PETR PARMS PNUC PS PARLIAMENT PINSCE PROTECTION PLAB PGV PBS PGOVENRGCVISMASSEAIDOPRCEWWTBN PKNP PSOCI PSI PTERM PLUM PF PVIP PARP PHUMQHA PRELNP PHIM PRELBR PUBLIC PHUMKPAL PHAM PUAS PBOV PRELTBIOBA PGOVU PHUMPINS PICES PGOVENRG PRELKPKO PHU PHUMKCRS POGV PATTY PSOC PRELSP PREC PSO PAIGH PKPO PARK PRELPLS PRELPK PHUS PPREL PTERPREL PROL PDA PRELPGOV PRELAF PAGE PGOVGM PGOVECON PHUMIZNL PMAR PGOVAF PMDL PKBL PARN PARMIR PGOVEAIDUKNOSWGMHUCANLLHFRSPITNZ PDD PRELKPAO PKMN PRELEZ PHUMPRELPGOV PARTM PGOVEAGRKMCAKNARBN PPEL PGOVPRELPINRBN PGOVSOCI PWBG PGOVEAID PGOVPM PBST PKEAID PRAM PRELEVU PHUMA PGOR PPA PINSO PROVE PRELKPAOIZ PPAO PHUMPRELBN PGVO PHUMPTER PAGR PMIN PBTSEWWT PHUMR PDOV PINO PARAGRAPH PACE PINL PKPAL PTERE PGOVAU PGOF PBTSRU PRGOV PRHUM PCI PGO PRELEUN PAC PRESL PORG PKFK PEPR PRELP PMR PRTER PNG PGOVPHUMKPAO PRELECON PRELNL PINOCHET PAARM PKPAO PFOR PGOVLO PHUMBA POPDC PRELC PHUME PER PHJM POLINT PGOVPZ PGOVKCRM PAUL PHALANAGE PARTY PPEF PECON PEACE PROCESS PPGOV PLN PRELSW PHUMS PRF PEDRO PHUMKDEM PUNR PVPR PATRICK PGOVKMCAPHUMBN PRELA PGGV PSA PGOVSMIGKCRMKWMNPHUMCVISKFRDCA PGIV PRFE POGOV PBT PAMQ

Browse by classification

Community resources

courage is contagious

Viewing cable 08LILONGWE595, AGOA ELIGIBILITY REVIEW - MALAWI

If you are new to these pages, please read an introduction on the structure of a cable as well as how to discuss them with others. See also the FAQs

Understanding cables
Every cable message consists of three parts:
  • The top box shows each cables unique reference number, when and by whom it originally was sent, and what its initial classification was.
  • The middle box contains the header information that is associated with the cable. It includes information about the receiver(s) as well as a general subject.
  • The bottom box presents the body of the cable. The opening can contain a more specific subject, references to other cables (browse by origin to find them) or additional comment. This is followed by the main contents of the cable: a summary, a collection of specific topics and a comment section.
To understand the justification used for the classification of each cable, please use this WikiSource article as reference.

Discussing cables
If you find meaningful or important information in a cable, please link directly to its unique reference number. Linking to a specific paragraph in the body of a cable is also possible by copying the appropriate link (to be found at theparagraph symbol). Please mark messages for social networking services like Twitter with the hash tags #cablegate and a hash containing the reference ID e.g. #08LILONGWE595.
Reference ID Created Released Classification Origin
08LILONGWE595 2008-10-07 03:51 2011-08-26 00:00 UNCLASSIFIED Embassy Lilongwe
VZCZCXRO9866
PP RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHJO RUEHMR RUEHRN
DE RUEHLG #0595/01 2810351
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 070351Z OCT 08
FM AMEMBASSY LILONGWE
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0050
INFO RUCNSAD/SOUTHERN AF DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY COLLECTIVE
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 LILONGWE 000595 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR AF/EPS - ANN BREITER AND GABRIELL MALLORY, AF/S - ELIZABETH 
PELLETREAU 
DEPT PLEASE PASS TO USTR FOR CONNIE HAMILTON 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: ETRD ECON XA MI
SUBJECT: AGOA ELIGIBILITY REVIEW - MALAWI 
 
REF: STATE 85086 
 
1.   Per REFTEL, Embassy Lilongwe submits the following updated AGOA 
eligibility information in the requested format. 
 
2.  Country: MALAWI 
Current AGOA Status: Eligible 
 
Country Background Summary:  Malawi's current estimated population 
is about 13 million and GDP at current prices is USD 3.8 billion. 
Agriculture forms the mainstay of Malawi's economy and it accounts 
for over a third of its GDP.  Tobacco, tea, and sugar together 
generate over 80 percent of export earnings, with tobacco providing 
the lion's share (over 60 percent).  The agricultural sector employs 
nearly half of those in formal employment, and directly or 
indirectly supports an estimated 85 percent of the population.  The 
government has for the past three years demonstrated strong 
macroeconomic management.  Macroeconomic stability has been 
restored.  Interest rates are stable and prospects for further 
decline in interest rates are high considering that Malawi goes for 
general and presidential elections next year.  A single digit 
inflation rate has prevailed since February 2007. The exchange rate 
has been stable and predictable for the last three years.  The 
country has enjoyed three years of food surplus.  Foreign direct 
investment has tripled over the same period.  AGOA continues to play 
an important role in the economy.  AGOA exports of over USD 30 
million constitute close to 8 percent of total exports.  AGOA 
exporters employ a significant number of people; close to 5000 
Malawians are currently employed in AGOA-registered apparel 
companies.  The government of Malawi is keen to maintain its AGOA 
eligibility status. 
 
 
Comments on Eligibility Requirements 
 
I. Market-based Economy: 
 
A. Major Strengths: 
 
** Malawi has been following a market-based economy since its 
independence from Britain in 1964. 
 
** Government participation in the market has existed along side the 
private sector, although the role of the private sector has grown 
substantially over the years. 
 
** To speed up the government's intention to have a private 
sector-led economy, the government instituted a privatization 
program in 1996 and several companies have been privatized; others 
are still being considered for privatization. 
 
** Government has pursued a number of reform programs to improve the 
economic environment with support of various donors including the 
IMF and World Bank.  Development programs have been initiated to 
improve infrastructure, utilities, human capital and institutional 
management.  The reforms being undertaken are broad and include 
stimulation of private sector activity and participation through the 
elimination of price controls and industrial licensing, 
liberalization of trade and foreign exchange, rationalization of 
taxes, privatization of state-owned enterprises, and civil service 
reform. 
 
** Malawi's macroeconomic stability has greatly improved over the 
past three years. 
 
** Malawi operates a liberal import- and export-licensing system 
with restrictions largely based on health, safety and national 
security reasons. 
 
** All Current Account transactions are fully liberalized. 
 
** Domestic protection through tariffs is gradually diminishing as 
the government continues to shift sources of revenue collection from 
customs duties to consumption and direct taxes. 
 
** In 2007, government established a commercial court division in 
the Malawi High Court to facilitate resolution of commercial 
disputes. 
 
** In June 2008 Malawi completed a successful Millennium Challenge 
Account Threshold program focused on control of corruption, 
legislative and judicial strengthening, promoting independent media 
coverage, and expanding and intensifying the work of civil society 
organizations. 
 
** In December 2007, Malawi was selected by the Millennium Challenge 
Corporation (MCC) as "compact eligible;" development is underway on 
a compact proposal for submission to MCC in 2009. 
 
 
LILONGWE 00000595  002 OF 003 
 
 
B. Major Issues: 
 
** Barriers to economic growth, investment and trade include high 
transport costs, poor infrastructure, unreliable utility services 
especially water and energy, limited access to technology and 
credit, lack of capacity for quality accreditation and limited 
industrial skills 
 
** Capital account transactions are still controlled. 
 
** In 2008, the Government of Malawi displayed an increased 
willingness to intervene in the market.  Minimum buying prices were 
set for tobacco, maize and cotton; government has indicated it may 
set minimum prices for other agricultural commodities next year. 
 
** In August 2008, Government banned all private trade of maize, 
designating the parastatal Agricultural Development and Marketing 
Corporation (ADMARC) as the sole dealer, with set buying prices. 
 
 
2.  Rule of Law/Political Pluralism/ Anti-Corruption: 
 
A. Major Strengths: 
 
** Malawi has an independent judiciary. 
 
** There is a free press with significant independent 
participation. 
 
** Malawi has strong governance institutions such as the Office of 
the Ombudsman, Law Commission and the Malawi Human Rights 
Commission. 
 
** Malawi has held three democratic presidential and parliamentary 
elections since 1994. 
 
** A functioning anti-corruption bureau exists. 
 
B. Major Issues: 
 
** Local government elections, scheduled for 2005, have still not 
been held. 
 
** The judiciary is inefficient, largely due to lack of resources 
such as human capital, equipment and finances. 
 
** Continued political feuding has delayed action on needed economic 
legislation, such as development loans, and undermines confidence in 
continued economic stability.  Passage of the 2008-2009 budget was 
delayed for three months. 
 
** The President has refused to implement a constitutional provision 
regarding parliamentary floor-crossing, drawing criticism for not 
respecting the rule of law. 
 
** While independent media are allowed to operate without major 
interference, State television and radio are used as propaganda 
tools against opposition parties. 
 
 
3.  Poverty Reduction: 
 
A. Major Strengths: 
 
** Government for the past four years has sponsored an agricultural 
input subsidy that has improved food security for the rural and 
urban poor. 
 
** Government has also begun directing resources toward irrigation 
programs to diminish the country's dependence on rain-fed 
agriculture. 
 
** Government allocates significant resources to primary education 
and health services targeting the rural poor, and such resources are 
protected in the national budget. 
 
** Government is implementing a poverty reduction program with 
assistance from the IMF, World Bank and other donors.  These 
programs target the promotion of education, health, agriculture and 
private sector development. 
 
B. Major Issues: 
 
** The fertilizer subsidy program has not been adequately targeted, 
and currently represents the bulk of the budget for the Ministry of 
Agriculture. 
 
 
4.  Human Rights/Labor/Child Labor: 
 
LILONGWE 00000595  003 OF 003 
 
 
 
A. Major Strengths: 
 
** The government generally respects the human rights of its 
citizens. 
 
** Malawi labor laws cover the majority of the International Labor 
Organization's core labor standards. 
 
** Workers have the right to freely associate and to bargain 
collectively.  Unions must register with the Ministry of Labor, but 
this is largely a formality. 
 
** On child labor, Malawi's constitution and employment laws comply 
with the ILO Convention 182.  The Malawi constitution complies with 
the Minimum Age Convention (ILO 138) and the Worst Forms of Child 
Labor Convention (ILO 182).  Malawi has ratified both conventions. 
 
** The government in association with the private sector, unions, 
employers and other stakeholders has developed and implemented a 
national Code of Conduct on Child Labor and placed child labor 
officers in each district of the country. 
 
** Government has established Child Labor District/Area Committees, 
Child Labor Inspectors and Child Labor Youth Activists.  All have 
been trained on child labor monitoring and reporting.  The Child 
Labor Youth Activists have been equipped with bicycles donated by 
UNICEF. 
 
** Child labor offenders have been prosecuted and, if convicted can 
be sentenced to up to five years in prison. 
 
 
B. Major Issues: 
 
** Union membership is low due to small workforce in the formal 
sector and lack of awareness about the benefits of such membership. 
 
** Incidences of child labor seem not to be abating despite 
government child labor elimination programs.  Many children continue 
to be engaged in the agricultural sector, especially on tenant 
farms. 
 
** Incidences of tampering with freedom of the press have been 
reported though justified on account of irresponsible journalism. 
 
** Prison conditions continue to remain harsh and a threat to human 
rights. 
 
** Prisoners on remand often experience long waits before being 
brought to trial, especially for murder cases.  The judiciary 
continues to lack resources to try such cases in a timely manner. 
 
** HIV and AIDs remain the biggest threat to human life and the 
labor force. 
 
5. International Terrorism/U.S. National Security 
 
A. Major Strengths: 
 
** Malawi passed the Money Laundering, Proceeds, and Serious Crimes 
and Terrorist Financing Act in August 2006 to address money 
laundering and terrorist financing. 
 
** A Financial Intelligence Unit has just been established with the 
help of United States government through the MCC Threshold Program 
that investigates irregular and large value monetary transactions. 
 
B. Major Issues:  None. 
 
SULLIVAN