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Driving Economic Growth Through Talent Localization: A China-Zambia Collaboration

Here are the highlights from the speech delivered by the Ministry of Labour and Social Security Permanent Secretary, Zechariah Luhanga, at the Zambia Federation of Employers (ZFE) and Association of Chinese Corporations in Zambia (ACCZ) Seminar, 27th December, 2024:

  • The seminar focused on “Localisation of Talent Resources to Promote China-Zambia Economic and Trade Development,” addressing employer and employee challenges in labour management.
  • The Permanent Secretary emphasized the Government’s commitment to creating a conducive investment environment, recognizing the role of private sector investments, particularly by Chinese businesses, in job creation, skills development, and economic transformation.
  • Employers, especially Chinese companies, were urged to adhere to labour laws, with specific attention to providing safe working conditions, issuing employment contracts, and allowing unionization.
  • Businesses were encouraged to register human resource staff with the Zambia Institute of Human Resource Management (ZIHRM) to reduce labour law misunderstandings and promote ethical business practices.
  • Participants were called to collaborate with the Government to address climate-related challenges affecting businesses and to build resilient production systems.
  • Social partners and associations were urged to organize more workshops to enhance dialogue between government and businesses, fostering compliance and cooperation for increased productivity.
  • Strong support was requested for government anti-corruption efforts, promoting transparency in business practices.
  • Participants were encouraged to actively engage in discussions and share ideas to strengthen employer-employee relationships and promote sustainable economic growth.

The speech concluded with the official opening of the workshop, reaffirming a shared commitment to ethical, productive, and transformative business practices.

ACCZ president 演讲Mr Liao’s Speech 27.12.2024 SG remarks at ZFE SPEECH BY PS MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND SOCIAL SECURITY -ZFE – ACCZ WORKSHOP – 27 DECEMBER 2024

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MINISTER TAMBATAMBA OFFICIATES AT THE 2ND NAPSA STAKEHOLDERS ENGAGEMENT FORUM

Key highlights from the speech by the Minister of Labour and Social Security, Honourable Brenda Mwika Tambatamba, at the 2024 NAPSA Stakeholders’ Forum in Kitwe:

  • The Minister highlighted that the forum took place in Kitwe, a region known for its resilience and economic activity, especially with the revival of key mining operations. She emphasized the timeliness of the event given the increased economic activity and the need for enhanced social security measures.
  • She thanked NAPSA for organizing the second stakeholders’ forum, following a successful inaugural event in Lusaka. The first forum allowed stakeholders to understand NAPSA’s performance and provide feedback, leading to improvements such as the introduction of the online compliance certificate.
  • The forum aligns with President Hakainde Hichilema’s call for stakeholder dialogue to improve service delivery. The theme, “Strengthening Social Security through Sustainable Growth and Resilience,” focuses on collaboration and idea exchange to enhance the social security system, addressing challenges faced by Copperbelt companies.
  • She stated that the Government is committed to providing sustainable and predictable social security for workers and retirees, in line with Vision 2030 and the 8th National Development Plan. Measures include extending social security coverage to the informal economy, issuing statutory instruments on contribution ceilings and penalty waivers, and allowing partial pension withdrawals.
  • Reviving the mining sector is a key focus, creating jobs and improving livelihoods. Increased mining activity leads to better incomes and access to social security benefits, aiming for a decent quality of life and a dignified retirement for all Zambians.
  • Extending social security coverage to the informal economy is a priority. The Government supports NAPSA’s efforts to include self-employed workers through inclusive policies and programs.
  • The Government backs NAPSA’s innovative initiatives, such as integration with the Government Service Bus, to improve service delivery and customer experience.
  • The Ministry is committed to creating an environment that supports workers, employers, and institutions like NAPSA. Pension reforms include penalty reduction and waiver programs, enhancing the social security system, introducing partial withdrawals for pension contributions, and increasing compliance inspections.
  • Comprehensive reforms are needed to modernize and strengthen Zambia’s social security system. The reform process involves extensive stakeholder consultation to address systemic issues, with significant progress made.
  • The Minister acknowledged the tough economic phase exacerbated by the El Niño effect, calling on the resilient spirit of the Zambian people to overcome challenges through collective effort. The forum should be a springboard for action, idea sharing, and partnership building.
  • On behalf of the New Dawn Government and President Hakainde Hichilema, the Minister reaffirmed the commitment to supporting NAPSA and stakeholders in making Zambia a middle-income prosperous country with a strong, inclusive, and sustainable social security system.
  • The Minister concluded by officially declaring the second NAPSA Stakeholders’ Forum open and wished the participants fruitful deliberations.

SPEECH BY THE MINISTER OF LABOUR AT 2024 STAKEHOLDERS FORUMKITWErevised

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MLSS AND CIJ SIGN MOU

The Acting Permanent Secretary, Mr. Zechariah Luhanga, gave a speech during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Ministry of Labour and Social Security and the Chandler Institute of Justice (CIJ). The speech expressed the following highlights:
He emphasized the MOU’s focus on law reform, capacity building initiatives, and exchange of legal knowledge to enhance public governance and achieve sustainable development.
Cabinet approval for the amendment of the Industrial and Labour Relations Act and the Employment Code Act was mentioned as part of ongoing legal reforms.
He noted that an action plan for revising the two acts has been developed, with completion expected within six months.
The Chandler Institute recently trained legal officers from the Ministry in legislative drafting, which is expected to positively impact ministerial deliverables.
Mr. Luhanga detailed the Industrial and Labour Relations Act, emphasizing its alignment with ILO Convention 87 and its role in promoting workers’ rights, dispute resolution, and social dialogue.
The Employment Code Act was outlined as addressing workplace discrimination, employee entitlements, protection of wages, employment policies, and regulation of child labourChandler MOU Speech (1).
He underscored the importance of these laws in improving productivity, resolving skills mismatches, and fostering industrial harmony.
The Acting Permanent Secretary concluded by thanking the Chandler Institute of Justice for their support and partnership in achieving these milestones.
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SKILLS, PRODUCTIVITY AND JOBS SUMMIT PAVES THE WAY FOR TRANSFORMATION

The National Skills, Productivity and Jobs Summit comes to a successful conclusion.
During the closing remarks, the Minister of Labour and Social Security, Brenda Tambatamba, expressed her deep gratitude to all participants, stakeholders, and organizers of the National Skills, Productivity, and Jobs Summit for their active engagement and contributions.
– She emphasized the critical role of the Summit in addressing Zambia’s core challenges, including skills mismatches, unemployment, and low productivity, and its significance in shaping a roadmap for economic transformation.
– The Minister highlighted key achievements of the Summit, including:
• Strengthened collaboration between the government, private sector, academia, and civil society.
• Identification of innovation, entrepreneurship, and digitalization as pivotal elements for economic progress.
• Acknowledgment of youth and human capital as drivers of sustainable development.
– She urged the private sector to actively invest in mentorship and skills development initiatives and called on educational institutions to align curricula with market demands to meet current economic needs.
– The Minister commended the role of cooperating partners in supporting government efforts and encouraged their continued involvement to foster the progress discussed during the Summit.
– She reassured participants of the Ministry’s commitment to:
• Creating conducive environments for job creation and skills enhancement.
• Driving innovation, productivity, and equity in opportunities.
• Monitoring and evaluating the implementation of the policies and strategies identified.
– Hon. Tambatamba envisioned the Summit as a turning point for Zambia’s sustainable growth, suggesting its institutionalization as an annual event to track progress and foster collective action.
– In closing, she expressed optimism that with unified efforts, Zambia can achieve a prosperous future driven by a skilled and innovative workforce.
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PRESIDENT HICHILEMA OFFICIALLY OPENS THE NATIONAL SKILLS, PRODUCTIVITY AND JOBS SUMMIT

03rd December 2024… President Hakainde Hichilema addressed the Summit, in a speech read on his behalf by the Minister of Labour and Social Security, Brenda Tambatamba, he emphasized Zambia’s focus on bridging skills gaps, boosting productivity, and creating decent jobs. Key highlights from the speech include:
• President Hakainde Hichilema highlighted the National Skills, Productivity, and Jobs Summit as a critical step in addressing Zambia’s economic challenges and fostering job creation, skills development, and productivity growth.
• He emphasized the importance of linking job seekers with employers, both locally and internationally, and improving skills to meet industry demands through internships, apprenticeships, and industrial attachments.
• The President stressed the need for technical and vocational education (TVET) and STEM fields to prepare the workforce for modern economic demands.
• Acknowledging Zambia’s surplus of skilled labour, particularly in education and health, he advocated exporting labour to reduce unemployment and boost global influence.
• He outlined the government’s focus on creating sustainable, decent jobs in key sectors like agriculture, manufacturing, mining, tourism, and IT.
• President Hichilema underlined the role of productivity as central to economic transformation and called for stronger collaboration among government, private sector, and educational institutions.
• He announced initiatives such as the Zambia National Service Skills Development Program and enhanced ICT access to equip citizens with digital and entrepreneurial skills.
• The speech also highlighted achievements in free education, construction of classroom blocks, and partnerships with the private sector to expand training opportunities.
• In conclusion, he called for stakeholders to turn summit discussions into actionable strategies for empowering citizens, improving productivity, and ensuring no one is left behind in Zambia’s development journey.
Below are some picture highlights from day 1 of the event.
Let’s turn discussions into action for a productive Zambia where no one is left behind.