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Official Launch of the 10th ZUFIAW Annual Sports Festival at OYDC
Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Brenda M. Tambatamba, officially opened the 10th ZUFIAW Annual Sports Festival at OYDC in Lusaka today. The speech delivered by the Minister highlighted the importance of a healthy workplace and a healthy worker with the following highlights:
• The festival’s theme, “Championing a Collaborative and Healthy Working Environment in the Delivery of Financial Services for Economic Growth,” aligns with the Government’s vision of fostering a progressive, healthy, happier, and productive workforce in Zambia.
• The Minister emphasized the critical link between the quality of the working environment and the broader economic outcomes, underscoring that collaborative and healthy workplaces are key to ensuring employees are motivated and engaged to deliver high-quality services.
• The festival symbolizes unity, teamwork, and individual well-being, values crucial for Zambia’s national development.
• The Minister highlighted the role of sports in promoting physical and mental health, which is important in all areas of human activity.
• Employers and trade unions were urged to develop and implement policies promoting a healthy and active lifestyle for workers through events like the sports festival.
• The Government reaffirmed its commitment to sports development due to its critical role in uniting the country, creating employment, and contributing to economic development.
• The Minister encouraged the application of teamwork, mutual respect, and dedication—principles learned through sports—to the workplace, fostering a healthy working environment where every person feels valued and motivated.
• The Minister officially declared the 10th ZUFIAW Sports Festival open, encouraging participants to engage actively and embrace the festival’s lessons.
The launch of the Human Resource Excellence Awards
Honourable Brenda Mwika Tambatamba, MP, Minister of Labour and Social at Radisson Blu Hotel in Lusaka.
In the speech, the Minister:
– Emphasizes the importance of recognizing and promoting best practices in human resource management.
– Discusses the role of human resources in shaping the workforce and emphasizes the significance of nurturing and empowering employees.
– Highlights the Government’s support for the initiative and its commitment to creating a world-class labour market.
– Encourages the organizers, sponsors, and partners involved in the awards and stresses the role of human resources in driving organizational culture, values, innovation, growth, and profitability.
– Concludes with a call to acknowledge excellence in human capital management and visionary leadership through the Human Resource Excellence Awards.
Security, delivered a speech at the l
National Productivity Development Department, hosted the 14th edition of the Productivity Zed360 Expert Talk
The Ministry of Labour and Social Security, National Productivity Development Department, hosted the 14th edition of the Productivity Zed360 Expert Talk on Tuesday, 3rd September 2024. This virtual event brings together distinguished individuals and experts from diverse fields to deliberate on the topic of productivity. The primary objective is to enhance awareness and draw insights from the experiences of these experts. The September edition had an engaging discussion led by H.E. Dr. Tobias Mulimbika, Zambia’s Ambassador to Japan, who wshed light on “High-Performance Framework as a Tool for putting Productivity into Practice.” The session was spearheaded by Mr. Cyprian Mayamba, the Director of the National Productivity Development Department, and moderated by Ms. Yvonne Kanenga Nawila. Audience participation is highly encouraged, and individuals are invited to subscribe to the YouTube Channel to engage in further discussions on productivity. This initiative is a valuable opportunity for individuals to gain valuable insights and contribute to the discourse on productivity.
SPECIAL TRIPARTITE CONSULTATIVE LABOUR COUNCIL MEETING
Key Outcomes from the Special Tripartite Consultative Labour Council Meeting
Lusaka, 27th August 2024… The Ministry of Labour and Social Security, in collaboration with key stakeholders, convened a Special Tripartite Consultative Labour Council (TCLC) meeting on 27th August 2024 at the Mulungushi Conference Center. The meeting brought together representatives from the Government, employers, and workers to address crucial national labour matters aimed at fostering industrial harmony and economic growth.
The Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Brenda Mwika Tambatamba, M.P., emphasized the importance of collective responsibility in decision-making within the TCLC. She called upon all social partners to fully support and uphold the decisions made by the Council, noting that such collective action is essential for maintaining a stable and productive labour market in Zambia.
In her speech, Hon. Tambatamba highlighted Zambia’s commitment to the Decent Work Agenda as prescribed by the International Labour Organization (ILO), focusing on job creation, guaranteeing rights at work, extending social protection, and promoting social dialogue. She reiterated the Ministry’s commitment to ensuring compliance with labour laws through robust inspections and legal enforcement, particularly in response to reports of workers being denied their rights to unionize and other workplace protections.
The Minister also announced a significant initiative: the upcoming National Jobs Fair and Productivity Summit in November 2024. This event aims to bridge the gap between job supply and demand, address skills mismatches, and strategize on raising productivity levels in Zambia. The Honourable Minister called on all social partners to collaborate with the Ministry to ensure the success of this crucial event.
The President of the Zambia Federation of Employers (ZFE), Mrs. Myra Mara Sakala Ngoma, expressed gratitude for the current peaceful industrial relations climate in Zambia. She acknowledged the commitment of unions and employers in maintaining this harmony and emphasized the importance of following legal procedures in resolving labour disputes, particularly in the transport sector. Mrs. Ngoma also commended the Government for its efforts to protect workers’ rights and urged employers to ensure compliance with social protection schemes.
Speaking at the same event, Zambia Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) President, Mr. Blake Mulala, supported the Minister’s call for stronger enforcement of labour laws. He highlighted the ongoing challenges in the transport sector, urging all parties to uphold the rights of workers and ensure fair treatment. Mr. Mulala also stressed the importance of solidarity among workers in protecting the progress made in labour rights, particularly in the face of recent legal challenges that threaten these advancements.
The 2024 Special Tripartite Consultative Labour Council Meeting reaffirmed the commitment of all stakeholders to maintaining industrial peace and promoting economic development in Zambia. The Ministry of Labour and Social Security, along with the Zambia Federation of Employers and the Zambia Congress of Trade Unions, remains dedicated to ensuring that the Zambian labour market continues to thrive through cooperation, dialogue, and strict adherence to labour laws.
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Labour Commissioner meets Bus Transport Sector Union and Transporters
Today, 22nd August 2024… The Labour Commissioner met with coach bus employers and trade unions at the Ministry of Labour and Social Security to discuss and promote better industrial relations. This important session focused on sensitizing stakeholders to ensure a harmonious working environment in the coach bus sector.
Following the crucial sensitization meeting held by the Labour Commissioner, Givens Muntengwa, with stakeholders from the bus transport sector, the Coach Drivers and Allied Workers Union President, Lackford Nkana, and the Chairperson for Taxi and Bus Owners Association, Sydney Chewe, gave their feedback of the meeting.
The meeting was an important step in addressing key issues within the sector, promoting industrial harmony, and ensuring that all parties are well-informed about their rights and responsibilities under Zambian labour laws.
GOVERNMENT CALLS FOR IDENTIFICATION OF CRITICAL SKILLS
The Ministry of Labour and Social Security says understanding labour market trends is critical for effective skills identification and anticipation.
The Acting Permanent Secretary, Zachariah Luhanga noted that government takes cognizant that investing in education and training infrastructure as a fundamental for quality education for all citizens.
He said this in a speech delivered on his behalf by the Labour Commissioner, Givens Muntengwa at the skills advisory committee meeting held in Kafue.
Mr. Luhanga disclosed that government through his ministry in consultation with social partners and other relevant stakeholders created a legal framework for the establishment of the skills advisory committee essential to the advancement of the country.
He acknowledged that policies support skills development and employment are created to address the issue of skills gap and mismatches in industries.
Mr. Luhanga added that this calls for the alignment of educational institutions’ curricula with what the industry requires.
Meanwhile, the International Labour Organization (ILO) says it stands ready to support interventions towards skills development, saying that there is an urgent need to narrow the skills gaps and mismatches in the country.
ILO’s European Union (EU) funded International Labour Organization’s Skills Development for Increased Employability (SDEP) Chief Technical Advisor Todin Marecha said the inclusion of more players and the establishment and support of the sectors skills committees would help in the production of critical skills list and skills anticipation.
AfriSAFE 2024
This Year Zambia is hosting the AfriSAFE Awards which will happen in November of 2024. AfriSAFE 2024 will attract over 15, 000 delegates from various countries in a two-day event.
As we look forward to this great opportunity let us remember that the Safety of Workers at work should be top priority at every workplace, whether in a domestic, office, farm or industrial setting.
Today, don’t miss an exclusive interview with the CEO of AfriSAFE, Femi Da-Silva, where he will be sharing valuable insights about the prestigious AfriSAFE Awards and Africa Safety Congress.
Mark your calendar for August 1, 2024, at 13:00hrs (Zambian Time) or 12:00hrs (Nigerian Time). Don’t miss out – subscribe and hit the notification bell using the link below to be promptly notified when the interview begins.
PRESS STATEMENT FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE! The Ministry of Labour and Social Security has withdrawn proposed amendments to the Employment Code Act, No. 3 of 2019 and suspended consultations amid widespread public interest. The Government remains committed to the decent work agenda for all workers.
MINISTERIAL STATEMENT ON THE ALLEGED PLANNED COUNTRYWIDE PROTESTS BY THE ZAMBIA CONGRESS OF TRADE UNIONS FOLLOWING GOVERNMENT’S PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE EMPLOYMENT CODE ACT NO. 3 OF 2019, TO REMOVE GRATUITY AND OTHER ALLOWANCES
On 19th July 2024, Hon. Brenda M. Tambatamba (M.P), Minister of Labour and Social Security, issued a Ministerial statement regarding an alleged planned countrywide protest by the Zambia Congress of Trade Unions following proposed amendments to the Employment Code Act No. 3 of 2019.
The following are highlights from the Ministerial Statement:
– The Minister said the Government is committed to addressing inequalities, fostering national development, and creating an enabling environment for a competitive labour market.
– In the efforts to create a favourable environment for a competitive labour market, the Ministry has strengthened labour market institutions by enacting the Zambia Institute of Human Resource Management Act No. 3 of 2022, revising statutory minimum wages, amending the National Pension Scheme Act No. 40 of 1996, and developing the Occupational Safety and Health Policy.
– So far, four hundred and sixty thousand, nine hundred and forty seven members have benefited and K9. 7 billion has been paid out to the beneficiaries. Further, the same amendment introduced penalty waivers to provide relief to businesses, to-date three thousand two hundred eighty-six employers have benefited and about three hundred and twenty-six million kwacha has been waived.
– Furthermore, the ministry has rehabilitated five district labour offices, improved integrated labour inspections, and reinstated the call centre accessible through the ZAMTEL toll-free number 7010. The Ministry has also developed a guide of Frequently Asked Questions to provide useful labour-related information to the public.
– The proposed amendments to the Employment Code Act aim to respond to challenges in the labour market, enhance stability, and accelerate job creation.
– A tripartite consultative labour council meeting was held on 09th May 2023 to agree on the roadmap for amending the Act, emphasizing the importance of tripartite consultations as required by the International Labour Organization.
– On the Consultative process, the Minister emphasizes that the process of amending the Employment Code Act is still in its infancy stage as it is being done through a consultative process in line with international labour standards and domestic laws. The Tripartite Consultative Labour Council plays a crucial role in fostering social dialogue and consensus building.
– In line with the progress update, the Minister outlines the progress made so far towards the amendment of the act, including the receipt of proposals from social partners and the consolidation of these proposals into a zero draft bill. This draft bill was subjected to initial comments at a consultative meeting in Siavonga District between 07th to 10th May 2024.
– The Minister emphasis on stakeholder engagement, stating the importance of including comments and positions of key stakeholders in the draft bill and highlights that the positions included in the draft bill are not final but will be subjected to further consultation with the Tripartite partners, including the Zambia Congress of Trade Unions.
– Offering clarity on proposed amendments, the Minister dispels concerns about the amendments seeking to remove gratuity and other allowances, stating that the proposed amendments are not repealing the entitlement to gratuity but are specifying the circumstances under which gratuity will be payable and the applicable rates.
– Regarding the Roadmap of the consultative process, the Minister outlines the roadmap of the consultative process, including the receipt of the draft bill from the Ministry of Justice, circulation of the draft bill for validation by stakeholders, a Tripartite Consultative Labour Council meeting for resolution, and submission of the draft bill to the Ministry of Justice for finalization and submission to Cabinet for approval before introduction into Parliament.
