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1ST 2026 TCLC HIGHLIGHT

“By ratifying International Labour Organization (ILO) Convention 102 Social Security( Minimum Standards) we reaffirm our commitment to a rights-based, sustainable and Tripartite-Governed Social Security system embedding universal values of dignity and protection in our national Ethos. It is a pledge to strengthen economic resilience, ensure social justice and elevate the well-being of every Zambian worker and their family,” Says Minister of Labour and Social Security, Brenda Mwika Tambatamba (MP).

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Zambia Union of Government and Allied workers Union pays a courtesy visit on the Minister of Labour and Social Security

Zambia Union of Government and Allied workers Union pays a courtesy visit on the Minister of Labour and Social Security, Brenda Mwika Tambatamba, MP.

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Press Release: MINISTRY OF LABOUR SAVES TRUSSED TIMBER INVESTMENTS WORKERS FROM ABRUPT RELOCATION FALL OUT, SECURES REDUNDANCY PACKAGES

Republic of Zambia
Ministry of Labour and Social Security
Press Release
MINISTRY OF LABOUR SAVES TRUSSED TIMBER INVESTMENTS WORKERS FROM ABRUPT RELOCATION FALL OUT, SECURES REDUNDANCY PACKAGES
Lusaka, Zambia, 27th December, 2025-The Ministry of Labour and Social Security has enforced payment of redundancy packages in the tune of K163, 639 to 24 employees of Trussed Timber Investments Limited following the company’s abrupt notification of its intention to relocate its operations to Eastern Province in three days.
Upon receiving the notice, employees sought the intervention of the Ministry of Labour and Social Security to secure their exit payout, to which management of the timber processing company was guided on the redundancy process in line with the Employment Code Act to safeguard workers’ rights and entitlements.
As a result, the company was directed to immediately settle all lawful dues owed to the affected employees.
To ensure that no worker was disadvantaged by the short notice of relocation, the workers were paid: in lieu of notice, December salaries, gratuity, and accrued leave days, bringing the matter to a yielding and orderly conclusion.
The Ministry would like to urge employers to engage the office of the Labour Commissioner on time, when contemplating operational changes, in order to ensure lawful processes are followed.
Issued by:
(Original Copy Signed)
Mwaka Ndawa (MS)
Principal Public Relations Officer
Ministry of Labour and Social Security
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Press Release (For Immediate Release) PREACH PEACE; ELECTIONS SHOULD NOT DIVIDE US, PRESIDENT HICHILEMA PETITIONS THE CHURCH

Republic of Zambia
Ministry of Labour and Social Security
Press Release (For Immediate Release)
PREACH PEACE; ELECTIONS SHOULD NOT DIVIDE US, PRESIDENT HICHILEMA PETITIONS THE CHURCH
Lusaka, Zambia, 21st December, 2025- President Hakainde Hichilema, has called on the Church to remain a central pillar in promoting national harmony and moral values, as he reaffirmed the New Dawn Government’s commitment to peace, unity and inclusive dialogue.
In a speech delivered on his behalf by Minister of Labour and Social Security, Brenda Mwika Tambatamba during the 24th anniversary of the Independent Churches of Zambia (ICOZ), President Hichilema said his Government regards all churches in Zambia as one body of Christ, whose shared responsibility is to promote peace, tranquility and love across the nation.
The Head of State said Government remains open to constructive dialogue and values the Church’s complementary role in fostering development and social harmony.
With few months left before the 2026 General Elections, President Hichilema implored the Church to intensify its message of peace, love and forgiveness, stressing that elections should never divide the nation.
“As the year draws to a close and the country moves toward the 2026 General Elections, the New Dawn Government calls upon the Church in Zambia to continue preaching peace, love, and forgiveness, which are core biblical principles upon which Christianity stands,”he said.
The Head of State commended the Independent Churches of Zambia for their active participation in matters relating to governance, including their submissions on the Constitution Amendment Bill No. 7 which he assented into law on December 18, 2025.
President Hichilema welcomed the views expressed by the Church on by-elections that differed from Government’s position, describing them as a positive demonstration of peaceful checks and balances that strengthen democracy.
“I noted one significant submission by the Independent Churches of Zambia opposing Bill 7, particularly their call for the continuation of by-elections, among other concerns, which reflects the important role of the Church in providing peaceful and harmonious checks and balances on the power of government,” The President said.
He appealed to the Church for continued partnership with Government, stressing that peace and unity must remain paramount before, during and after elections.
Independent Churches of Zambia president, Bishop Dr. David Masupa urged believers to be bold and actively contribute to the development of the country.
The Cleric encouraged Christians not to demean themselves, emphasizing that their role in society extends beyond church walls. Bishop Masupa called on believers to support the President, noting that the journey to servanthood is not always easy, as he recalled his own moments of persecution that tested his resolve.
The President was awarded a commemorative plaque symbolising a lion, in recognition of his resilience and leadership in conquering the many hurdles faced during his administration.
Issued by:
(Original Copy Signed)
Mwaka Ndawa (MS)
Principal Public Relations Officer
Ministry of Labour and Social Security
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Government Intends To Expand Lump Sum Pension Options- Tambatamba

Minister of Labour and social Security, Brenda Mwika Tambatamba says Government through the proposed pension reforms intends to expand lump sum pension options, to allow retirees access a greater chunk of their savings when they are no longer in employment.
The reforms are designed to strengthen income security and provide workers with more flexibility in managing their retirement benefits.
Ms. Tambatamba indicated that a robust pension system is a critical pillar of Zambia’s social and economic stability hence, there is need to better the reforms to see to it that retirement does not result into vulnerability but provide predictable and financial support after years of work.
Speaking at the National Symposium on Pension Reforms with Employer Federations and the Labour Movement, the Minister emphasized that income security in old age is essential to protecting workers’ dignity and sustaining household and national economic resilience.
Ms. Tambatamba said through coordinated reforms with consultations from stakeholders, the New Dawn Government is addressing hurdles in pension systems such as low coverage, inadequate benefits, delayed payments and fragmented schemes, which have undermined retirees’ financial security.
As part of the reform process, three Bills have been drafted: the National Pension Scheme Bill, 2025, the Public Service Pensions Fund Bill, 2025, and the Local Authorities Superannuation Fund Bill, 2025 to modernize pension laws, harmonize schemes and strengthen governance to ensure reliable and timely benefit payments.
Key reform measures include:
✅Increasing the NAPSA income replacement rate from 40 percent to 45 percent.
✅Raising the minimum pension to 25 percent of national average earnings.
✅The reforms will allow the 20 percent pre-retirement benefit to also be accessed at the point of retirement as a lump sum, while Government explores the possibility of increasing this percentage without compromising the adequacy of monthly pensions or the long-term sustainability of the scheme.
✅ A Second-Tier Pension for Public Workers. such as teachers, police officers and health personnel employed after 2000 who currently only contribute to NAPSA, will be allowed to also contribute to the Public Service Pensions Fund (PSPF) while workers under local authorities and utility companies will contribute to Local Authorities Superannuation Fund (LASF).
✅In addition, Government plans to introduce voluntary additional contributory sub-schemes under NAPSA, the Public Service Pension Scheme Fund (PSPF) and the Local Authorities’ Superannuation Fund (LASF) to enhance retirement benefits that can be accessed as lump sums.
✅Further, the proposed Public Service Pension Fund reforms aim to increase public service workers’ retirement income by adding an additional 20 percent income replacement ratio to the current 40 percent provided by NAPSA, bringing total income replacement to at least 60 percent, and up to 65 percent with the enhancement of the NAPSA rate.
Ms. Tambatamba said the reforms build on earlier measures introduced in 2022 to improve the cash flow and financial stability for workers such as the reduction of NAPSA penalties and the introduction of partial pre-retirement withdrawals.
She implored social partners to back the reforms, stressing that a strong pension system is fundamental to income security for current and future retirees.
“Pension Reforms is for people of all ages, those about to retire and our young workers. We are planning even for the unborn because they will one day enter the Labour Market and retire, therefore, a strong pension system is indeed a guarantee of dignity and income security,”Ms. Tambatamba said.
The Minister said Government remains committed to delivering a fair, sustainable and responsive pension system that guarantees financial protection for workers long after they exit the labour market.
Ministry of Labour and Social Security Permanent Secretary Zechariah Luhanga in reaffirming Government’s commitment to transparency, said wider consultations have been conducted during the ongoing pension reforms across the 10 provinces, to gather feedback, build consensus, and ensure that reforms reflect the needs of workers, employers, and pensioners across the country.
Zambia Congress of Trade Unions Secretary General Joy Beene proposed that the ongoing pension reforms prioritize improvements in benefit adequacy and protect pension values against inflation, without reducing accrued or expected benefits.
Zambia Federation of Employers president Myra Ngoma said social security system should provide safety nets that support dignity and stability later in life when one is no longer has a steady income after employment.
And Emoluments Commission Director General Chembo Mbula on behalf of the steering committee said the consultative process with employers and employee representatives is intended to build consensus and ensure the pension reforms reflect the realities faced by employers, workers and pension administrators.
He said continued dialogue remains central to finding common solutions that will deliver a fair, sustainable and responsive pension system.
 
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Government Launches LMIS, Mining Sector Skills Strategy, Skills Board To Create a Future -Ready Workforce

Government of Zambia has officially launched it’s debut Labour Market Information System (LMIS), a transformative platform designed to bridge the gaps between skills supply and demand on the Labour market, guide evidence-based employment policies, and empower Zambians with information on job trends, required skills, and career paths.
The Skills Strategy for the Country’s Mining Sector has also been jointly launched by the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, Ministry of Mines and Mineral Development and Ministry of Technology and Science, to respond to the evolving needs of the industry.
Minister of Labour and Social Security, Brenda Mwika Tambatamba said the Labour Market Information System (LMIS) will address longstanding challenges of fragmented and outdated labour data, which have contributed to skills mismatches and inefficient workforce planning.
In a speech delivered on her behalf by the Director of Planning and Research in the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, Paul Mumba Ms. Tambatamba said by offering insights into growing industries, skills shortages, and emerging job opportunities, the system will guide targeted training, improve employability, and boost economic planning.
“With a functional and well-integrated labour market information system (LMIS), we now have reliable data. We can now design evidence-based policies to tackle unemployment, improve working conditions, foster productivity growth and promote decent work,”Ms. Tambatamba said.
“The LMIS is more than a database, it is a strategic tool for economic growth, social inclusion and poverty reduction. It is intended to harness Zambia’s Demographic Dividend by creating pathways for youth employment and skills development,”
The Minister also emphasized on investing in human capital development, for the country to sustain a competitive edge, as human capital is a catalyst for sustained economic development, noting that the global mining landscape is evolving driven by technological innovation, environmental sustainability imperatives, and shifting market dynamics.
“Zambia’s ability to grow, attract investment and create dignified jobs depends on the skills of its people. Every ambition we set from expanding mining output to accelerating renewable energy, modernizing agriculture and strengthening tourism rests on whether we have enough skilled women and men who can keep these sectors running safely and competitively,” said Ms. Tambatamba.
Minister of Mines and Mineral Development Paul Kabuswe in a speech delivered on his behalf by Principal planner, Edward Shabani said the unveiling of the Mining Sector Skills Body and the inaugural Mining Sector Skills Strategy will ensure that workers are equipped with the necessary skills to support growth, competitiveness, and value addition in the sector.
Minister of Technology and Science, Felix Mutati in a speech delivered on his behalf by director vocational, education and training, Precious Lisulo emphasised the need to develop a highly skilled workforce at all levels to fully harness the potential of the country’s mining sector.
He called for strong collaboration between mining companies and Government to support curriculum development, work-based learning, and capacity-building for lecturers to narrow the skills gap and create a workforce capable of driving the sector towards enhanced competitiveness and economic diversification.
International Labour Organization, Country Director for Malawi, Zambia and Mozambique, Wellington Chibebe called on member States to adopt comprehensive policies for vocational guidance and training, linked to employment in line with Convention no. 142 on Human Resource
Development.
Zambia Federation of Employers Executive Director, Harrington Chibanda said the Labour Market Information System must be supported by strong institutions that must supply quality and accurate data, to inform decision making processes.
And Zambia Congress of Trade Unions president Blake Mulala called for enhanced safety in the mining sector and formalization of small scale mines so that workers’ rights are recognized.
“A mine that cannot guarantee safety has no business operating in Zambia. A single death is one too many. When a worker dies, a family collapses, children drop out of school and a community loses hope. Our youths are operating in dangerous unregulated zones without safety equipment, without protection and without rights,” said Mr Mulala.