
GOVERNMENT APLAUDS FQM FOR SKILLS DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE

Republic of Zambia
Ministry of Labour and Social Security
Press Release (For Immediate release)
ZAMBIA DEPOSITS Instrument of Ratification FOR COONVENTION 190
Lusaka, 24th January, 2025…Zambia has today deposited the Ratification of the International
Labour Organization Convention on Violence and Harassment, 2019 (C190) at the ILO
Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland.
On August 13, 2024 Government endorsed the International Labour Organisation Convention on
Violence and Harassment, 2019 (C190) on 13th August, 2024 which is aimed at addressing
violence and harassment in the Work place.
Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Mulambo Haimbe, M.P signed the
Instrument of Ratification Last year and the same was registered on 13th December, 2024 by the
ILO Director-General Mr Gilbert Houngbo.
The Convention 190 is an international treaty signed by Ilo member countries tailored to eradicate
all forms of violence and harassment in the world of work, which may result into demoralization,
ineptitude and low self- esteem among the affected victims if left unattended.
Convention 190 is also focused on protecting workers, volunteers, apprentices, job seekers and
interns in both the public and private sector.
The treaty is accompanied by Recommendation No. 206, which sets measures to stop violence and
harassment through domestication in policies and existing legislation, promote gender-sensitive
blueprint to fight harassment, provide support to victims, hold perpetrators accountable.
Zambia’s Ambassador to Switzerland Eunice M.T. Luambia, on behalf of the Government of
Zambia, handed over the Instrument of Ratification to Mr Houngbo in the presence of Zambia’s
secretary legal, Ms Ms. Musonda C. Ulaya.
Speaking during the Depository Ceremony, Mr Houngbo was delighted that, Zambia had made
stride in promoting decent work by endorsing the convention, making it the 47th Country out of
the total ILO membership to sign the treaty; and was the tenth Country in Africa to ratify the
Instrument.
The ILO Director-General hoped that the ratification by Zambia would encourage other countries
to do the same.
Ambassador Ulambia assured the ILO Director-General that Zambia was committed to
eliminatingof workplace violence and harassment to set up a strong and dynamic middle-income
industrial Nation, that provides equitable opportunities for improving the well-being of workers.
“From a gender perspective, this occasion is even more nostalgic for me as I reflect on the progress
made so far in the advancement of gender-equality, and yet profound inequalities still persist
particularly for rights of women and girls in the world of work,” said Ambassador Ulambia.
“Convention 190 acknowledges the fact that gender-based violence and harassment
disproportionately affects women and girls. Overall, Zambia acknowledges that workplace
violence and harassment negatively impacts workers’ health and safety and their overall wellbeing,
which in turn diminishes productivity and thus impedes economic gains and progress.”
The Ministry of Labour and Social Security reiterates its obligation to end violence and Harassment
in the world of work, in line with the 2030 agenda for Sustainable Development Goals to promote
gender equality and decent work for all.
Government therefore calls for concerted effort among employers, Trade Unions, and other
stakeholders in raising awareness about the rights of employees and employers under convention
190, by providing support to victims of violence and harassment; and employers should see to it
they review and update their internal policies, so that they can tally with the provisions of the
convention in attaining the zero tolerance for violence and harassment.
Government will see to it that it raises awareness about the effects of violence, provide training for
human resource officers and set framework to end all forms of violence and harassment.
Issued by:
(Original Signed Copy)
Mwaka Ndawa(Miss)
Principal Public Relations Officer.
The Ministry of Labour and Social Security reminds all employers of their legal obligation to submit employment relationship statistics as required under the Employment Code Act No. 3 of 2019. Non-compliance will result in penalties.
Employers must complete the Labour Statistics Submission Form available here and submit it via:
Timely submission ensures compliance with Sections 12, 22, and 50 of the Employment Code Act and supports the development of policies to improve the labour market.
REPUBLIC OF ZAMBIA
MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND SOCIAL SECURITY
PRESS STATEMENT
GOVERNMENT CAUTIONS AGAINST THE UNDERPAYING OF NON-UNIONIZED WORKERS.
Lusaka, 16th January, 2025… To protect vulnerable employees and keep pace with the cost of living, Government through the Ministry of Labour and Social Security has increased the minimum wages for bus and truck drivers with a K1,000 and K800.
The buses are those which are public service vehicles licensed to carry 40 or more passengers while the trucks are those public service vehicles licensed to carry goods.
Announcing the new minimum wages on January 16, 2025, Minister of Labour and Social Security honourable Brenda Tambatamba indicated that bus drivers will no longer be earning K2, 200 as their basic pay, but will now be earning K3, 000, while truck drivers will now be paid K4,000 as their basic pay from K3,000.
Government had noted that the conditions for drivers were not promising and resolved to revise the minimum wages and its resolve was communicated to stakeholders in the transportation sector by the Labour commissioner, Mr. Givens Muntengwa, on December 31, 2024, following the Tripartite Consultative Labour Council (TCLC) meeting that was held to revise the minimum wages for bus and truck drivers.
During the stakeholder engagement, Zambia congress of trade unions president, Blake Mulala, expressed worry with the non-compliance of minimum wages.
Stakeholders were hopeful that the wages would help to mitigate disputes in the transport sector.
The revised wages were approved by cabinet following a plea by workers after considering submissions from stakeholders.
This will cater for the vulnerable employees who are not affiliated to any union and who earn less wages set out in the minimum wage orders and do not affect unionized drivers earning good wages.
Honourable Tambatamba said that the revision of the salaries for bus and truck drivers is contained in Statutory Instrument No.3 of 2025 as published in the Government gazette on January 10, 2025 and will take effect on April 10, 2025.
Cross-border subsistence allowances have also been increased by Five Dollars (US$5).
Allowances have been increased from US$25 per night to US$30 per night in an event where the truck does not have a sleeping cabin.
In instances where the truck has a sleeping cabin, an allowance of US$20 per night will be allotted to the driver instead of US$15 per night.
Paragraph (2) of section of the Minimum Wages and Conditions of Employment (truck and bus drivers) Order, SI No. 106 of 2020 was also amended to expand the list of dangerous goods which now includes; explosives, flammable gases and liquids as well as flammable solids, oxidizing substances; toxic substances; infectious substances and radioactive substances.
The bus and truck drivers’ wages were introduced in 2020 under the new Employment Code Act and were last reviewed in 2022.
Honorable Tambatamba has cautioned employers against paying non-unionized workers below the minimum wages and conditions of employment.
On the other hand, she emphasized the need for employers to allow workers to be part of unions and engage in collective bargaining processes.
Issued by:
(Official copy signed)
Mwaka Ndawa (Miss)
Principal Public Relations Officer.
SI No. 3 of 2025_ Truck and Bus drivers Minimum Wage Press statement for Bus and Truck Drivers SI (7) (2)
REPUBLIC OF ZAMBIA
MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND SOCIAL SECURITY
PRESS STATEMENT BY THE MINISTER OF LABOUR AND SOCIAL SECURITY ON THE REVISION OF THE MINIMUM WAGES FOR BUS AND TRUCK DRIVERS
16TH JANUARY, 2025
“101. The functions of the Labour Advisory Committee are to— (a) inquire into the wages and conditions of employment in any undertaking or sector in order to recommend minimum wages and conditions of employment; and
(b) review at least every two years and make recommendations, to the Minister, on the minimum wages and conditions of employment for any group of employees;”
The Bus and Truck Drivers Statutory Instrument was partially reviewed in 2022 and in that regard, it was due for review in 2024.
Category | Old Minimum Wage | New Minimum Wage |
Bus Drivers | K2,200 | K3,000 |
Truck Drivers | K3,000 | K4,000 |
Subsistence allowances | Old | New | |
1 | Where the employer does not provide, or pay for accommodation for the driver while on duty;
Or where the truck does not have a sleeping cabin |
Not less than USD25 per night | Not less than USD30 per night |
2 | Where a truck has a sleeping cabin | USD15 per night | USD20 per night |
The Statutory Instrument will also include a list of dangerous goods in line with international standards. The list is as follows:
The Ministry of Labour and Social Security has reaffirmed its commitment to stop child labour through the legal framework and sensitization programs.
Speaking when he featured on Worker’s Voice on ZNBC Radio 2, on Tuesday, Labour inspector, Ian Kayelu indicated that the public needs to be knowledgeable about the difference between child labour and child work.
Mr. Kayelu said that according to the Employment Code Act no.3 of 2019, the dissimilarities between the two are that; child labour is any work that deprives a child of development; emotionally, physically and morally while child work is a chore that equips a child with skills.
“Parents should know the distinction between the two in order to build a child positively making them more productive,” he said.
“Child labour is illegal, while child work is permitted with a lot of precautions.”
Mr. Kayelu disclosed that child labour is prevalent in domestic homes and rural areas where children are tasked to engage in agricultural activities and prevented from attending school.
He said in the domestic sector, labour inspectors are required to obtain a search warrant before inspecting homes where child labour is being perpetrated.
The Labour Inspector added that with the rising investment in the mining sector, Government has taken keen interest in ensuring that child labour is discouraged.
Speaking on the same programme, Media Networks on Child Rights and Development (MNCRD) Executive Director, Mr. Henry Kabwe, said the community needs to be sensitized on children’s rights as stipulated in the Children’s Code Act no.12 of 2022.
Mr. Kabwe said there’s need to promote child work that will ensure that children attain the requisite skills that will help with the development of the nation.
“We need to promote child work because we don’t want a situation where children grow up without a skill,” he said.
“Child work is something that a child can do and still go to school, have their career whilst child labour is something that will deprive them from achieving what they want to achieve.”
Mr. Kabwe commended Government for introducing the free education policy as it will help in reducing cases of child labour.
(Picture highlights taken in Gwembe District, Zambia)
As we step into the New Year, the Ministry of Labour and Social Security extends its warmest wishes to you and your families. May this year bring you prosperity, good health, and happiness. We remain committed to improving the welfare and working conditions of all citizens. Together, let’s build a brighter future.