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The Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Brenda M. Tambatamba, today received a courtesy call from the Ambassador Karoline Stasiak from the Delegation of the European Union to the Republic of Zambia and COMESA.

The Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Brenda M. Tambatamba, today received a courtesy call from the Ambassador Karoline Stasiak from the Delegation of the European Union to the Republic of Zambia and COMESA. These are some of the key points raised by the Minister during the courtesy call.  

  • Collaboration with the EU: The Ministry of Labour and Social Security welcomes the support of the European Union and seeks further collaboration on developmental programs.
  • Ministry’s Role: The Ministry is mandated to create a conducive working environment through the development and implementation of employment, productivity, occupational health and safety, and social security policies.
  • Labour Force and Unemployment: Zambia faces a high unemployment rate of 13%, largely due to skills mismatches, inadequate labour market policies, and low productivity levels.
  • Employment Code Act Review: The Ministry is revising the Employment Code Act and the Apprenticeship Act to improve skills development and labour conditions.
  • Skills Development and Productivity: Focus on addressing skills gaps, mismatches, and improving productivity through projects like the EU-funded Skills Development and Entrepreneurship Project (SDEP).
  • Child Labour Elimination: The Ministry coordinates child labour programs, aiming to eliminate all forms of child labour in line with international conventions.
  • National Skills Productivity and Job Summit: A summit in December 2024 aims to address the gap between job supply and demand, improving employability and productivity.
  • Labour Migration: The Ministry requests support to continue implementing the Labour Migration Strategy, especially in the context of climate change.
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Dynamic Transport Welcomes Labour Commissioner’s Guidance on Employee Rights and Contracts

The Labour Commissioner, Mr. Givens Muntengwa, accompanied by a team of Labour Inspectors, conducted an on-site inspection at Dynamic Transport located along Katima Mulilo Road in the Garden area. During the visit, several labour-related concerns were identified, including the payment of wages in cash and the absence of attested contracts for some employees.
The management of Dynamic Transport was cooperative throughout the inspection, acknowledging the issues raised and expressing gratitude for the guidance provided by the Labour Commissioner and his team. Mr. Muntengwa emphasized the importance of adhering to Zambian labour laws, ensuring that all employees are treated fairly and that proper contractual agreements are in place.
The inspection forms part of the Ministry of Labour’s ongoing efforts to ensure compliance with labour standards across various industries, safeguarding employee rights and improving workplace conditions.
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Collaborating for Better Labour Services: UFEZ Donates Furniture to Ministry of Labour and Social Security

The Ministry of Labour and Social Security is working to realign its operations to better address emerging labour challenges. Acting Permanent Secretary Zechariah Luhanga revealed that the Ministry is engaging the Management Development Division (MDD) to develop a structure that responds effectively to local and global labour trends.

 

Speaking while receiving a donation of office furniture worth K40,000 from the United Federation of Employers in Zambia (UFEZ), Mr. Luhanga noted that field officers face challenges due to insufficient furniture. The Ministry operates in 64 out of 116 districts across the country, and the donation is expected to improve office functionality. He added that the Ministry has also allocated K1.1 million for additional furniture procurement.

 

UFEZ President Humphrey Monde reiterated the organization’s commitment to support the Ministry, recognizing the government’s financial constraints due to economic and environmental challenges. He emphasized that this donation fulfils a commitment made in April during Labour Day preparations.

 

With the Ministry and stakeholders working together, Zambia’s labour sector is expected to improve in its service delivery and response to both local and global labour trends.

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Forged Letter Spark Labour Commissioner’s Surprise Inspections at Fashion Retailers (Zambia) Stores at Manda Hill and Levy Junction Malls

Lusaka, Zambia – Labour Commissioner Givens Muntengwa conducted special labour inspections at Fashion Retailers Zambia, which operates popular stores such as Foschini, Exact!, Sterns, Markham, The Fix, and Total Sports under the TFG Group of Companies.
The inspections were prompted after it was discovered that company management had distributed a forged letter to employees, falsely claiming it contained official guidance from the Labour Commissioner’s office after the company had been having mediation meetings at the Labour Department. This action raised serious concerns about the treatment of workers and compliance with Zambian labour laws. Hence the need for the Labour Commissioner and team to reach out the employees with the correct letter with all the official guidelines.
During the inspection at the Foschini store in Manda Hill, Mr. Muntengwa emphasized the importance of respecting Zambia’s labour laws, urging the company’s management to ensure fair treatment of employees. He specifically advised the Human Resources manager to uphold the rights of workers and protect employees from any form of intimidation.
In addition to the Manda Hill location, Mr. Muntengwa and his team also visited stores at Levy Junction, continuing their review of the company’s operations across various outlets. The team reinforced the same message at each store, ensuring that management understood the importance of transparency, compliance with legal frameworks, and protection of employee rights.
The Labour Commissioner’s office remains committed to ensuring that all companies operating in Zambia comply with national labour laws, fostering a fair and supportive environment for workers across the country.
The matter has also been reported to the Zambia Police Service to ensure proper procedures are followed in investigating the forged letter. 
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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.
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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

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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.