Empowering Change: Maliban Gold Marie and the Department of Labour Unite to Champion International Day Against Child Labour 

In partnership with the Sri Lanka Department of Labour, Maliban Gold Marie recently commemorated the International Day Against Child Labour 2023 at Neluwa, GA/Mandalapura Junior College. Esteemed guests, including Labour and Foreign Employment Minister Mr. Manusha Nanayakkara, Labour Commissioner General Advocate B. K. Mr. Prabhat Chandrakirthi, Secretary of the Ministry of Labour and Foreign Employment R.P.A. Mr. Wimalaweera, and Labour Commissioner N. M. Y. Mrs. Thushari, were present to grace the event. The Chief Executive Officer of the Maliban Group, Mr. Ravi Jayawardena, along with parents and children, gathered to reaffirm their unwavering commitment to creating a world where children can thrive in happiness and freedom.

Maliban Gold Marie, driven by its dedication to fostering a brighter future for children in Sri Lanka, acknowledges the urgent challenges of early school dropout and children’s involvement in various occupations. Through its Gold Marie brand, Maliban Biscuit Manufactories (Private) Limited launched a mission to eliminate child labour in Sri Lanka by 2025. In support of this mission, the ‘Nidahase Ran Daruwo’ fund was established on World Children’s Day in 2021, demonstrating their unwavering dedication to the cause.

The ‘Nidahase Ran Daruwo’ fund has implemented measures to strengthen the economic capabilities of families at risk of having their children leave education prematurely and enter the workforce. Across all districts of the island, this program has provided a fresh start for nearly 50 families. Maliban Gold Marie has played a crucial role in providing guidance and resources through the ‘Nidahase Ran Daruwo’ Fund, resulting in the remarkable transformation of these families into successful entrepreneurs. As a result, the children now lead lives filled with happiness and freedom, thanks to the efforts of Maliban Gold Marie and the positive impact of the ‘Nidahase Ran Daruwo’ Fund.

In a recent report released by the International Labour Organization, it was highlighted that the number of child labourers has experienced its first increase in the past two decades in 2023. Shockingly, the organization emphasized that approximately 160 million children worldwide, equivalent to one in every 10 children, are currently trapped in this distressing circumstance. The International Labour Organization underscores the importance of addressing parental negligence, which drives children to engage in various forms of employment. To combat child labour, the report emphasizes the significance of creating employment opportunities, particularly for adults and parents.

Mr. Manusha Nanayakkara, Minister of Labour and Foreign Employment, the chief guest at the event said, “I am first of all grateful to Maliban for organizing this kind of program on the occasion of World Day Against Child Labour. In both Sri Lanka and globally, during a time when many families face a dire economic situation, there is an increased probability of children engaging in different types of work. I believe it is the obligation and role of every adult to drive the future of the nation with strength. For that purpose, the role played by Maliban Gold Marie through the ‘Nidahase Ran Daruwo’ Fund is excellent. As the Ministry of Labour, we are working to take all necessary steps to eliminate child labour from Sri Lanka by the year 2025”.

Notably, Maliban Biscuit Manufactories (Private) Limited together with Maliban Gold Marie have been actively implementing these practices in Sri Lanka for the past three years, aligning with the International Labour Organization’s call to empower parents economically in order to eliminate child labour.

Mr. Ravi Jayawardena, Chief Executive Officer of Maliban Biscuit Manufactories (Private) Limited, who spoke at the event, said, “It is the acceptance of all of us that the future of a country rests on the children of that country. That’s why to create a good future for the country, we need to create a good generation of children. To create a good generation of children, they must have a good childhood. We should work to give them the opportunity to spend their childhood happily and freely. Maliban Gold Marie is fulfilling that responsibility through the ‘Nidahase Ran Daruwo’ Fund.”

Maliban Gold Marie will allocate 50 cents for every 80gram packet of ‘Gold Marie Biscuits’ that is bought for the ‘Nidahase Ran Daruwo’ Fund. Accordingly, every customer who buys Maliban Gold Marie becomes a proud participant in this great social service. The main objective of the ‘Nidahase Ran Daruwo’ Fund established under the Maliban Gold Marie brand on World Children’s Day 2021 is to create a world full of happiness and freedom for children.