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PRESS RELEASE – ZAMBIA’S TRANSFORMATIVE AGENDA ON LABOUR ISSUES ACKNOWLEDGED: AS IT CONTINUES TO RATIFY ILO CONVENTIONS PRIORITISED BY SADC

MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND SOCIAL SECURITY
PRESS RELEASE
(FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE)
ZAMBIA’S TRANSFORMATIVE AGENDA ON LABOUR ISSUES ACKNOWLEDGED:
AS IT CONTINUES TO RATIFY ILO CONVENTIONS PRIORITISED BY SADC
Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe 28th March 2025…Zambia has received accolades at the Southern African Development Community (SADC) meeting for Ministers of Employment and Labour and Social Partners for its progression in improving the welfare of workers, through evidence-based labour policies.
Zambia gained approval from the International Labour Organization (ILO) for formulating and ratifying worker-friendly policies.
Notable among the eight International Labour Organization (ILO) instruments prioritized by SADC signed and ratified by Zambia in upgrading the livelihoods of workers, is the ILO Convention (C190), which was ratified by the New Dawn Administration on December 13, 2024 that aims at protecting workers against violence and harassment in the workplace.
Other conventions are; C122, C129, C151, C155, and C187, with only two conventions yet to be signed.
Speaking during the official opening, Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare in Zimbabwe, Edgar Moyo emphasized the need to formulate National Employment Policies that will place decent work at the center of development efforts.
Mr. Moyo urged member States to be Labour -intensive in order to tackle unemployment, as well as promote productive economic sectors such as mining and agriculture, to promote economic growth.
ILO Director of the Decent Work Team for East and Southern Africa, Alexio Musindo said ILO would support decent work in capacity building, to promote International Labor Standards.
SADC Deputy Executive Secretary for Regional Integration Angele N’tumba pressed member States to enhance the employability of graduates by ensuring that curricular responds to demands on the labour market.
Minister of Labour and Social Security, Brenda MwikaTambatamba (MP) informed the meeting that Zambia is collaborating with the private sector to create employment for the youth through the Public-Private Dialogue Forum (PPDF). She further implored secretariat to see to it that member States receive technical support to create a resilient and sustainable economy.
Issued by:
Mwaka Ndawa (MS)
Principal Public Relations Officer
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PRESS RELEASE: STRENGTHEN SOLUTIONS TO INFORMALITY ON LABOUR MARKET SADC MEMBER STATES IMPLORED

MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND SOCIAL SECURITY
PRESS RELEASE
(FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE)
STRENGTHEN SOLUTIONS TO INFORMALITY ON LABOUR MARKET SADC MEMBER STATES IMPLORED
Vitoria Falls Town, Zimbabwe, 24th March 2025… The Southern African Development Community (SADC) Employment and Labour Sector, has urged member States to be intent on stopping informality on the labour market, which stands at 85.5% in Africa, according to statistics provided by the International Labour Organisation (ILO).
As a way of tackling informality, SADC proposed the integration of small to medium enterprises (SMEs) into the formal economy, as they are forces in employment-generation and transformation, within the African region.
This was during the SADC senior officials meeting, which is a preparatory meeting for the Meeting of Ministers of Employment and Labour and Social Partners, which officially opens on March 27, 2024 at Elephant Hills Resort in Victoria Falls Town in Zimbabwe.
Opening the Senior officials meeting, Chairperson of the SADC Employment and Labour Sector, and Permanent Secretary for Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare in Zimbabwe, Simon Masanga said; there’s need to plan and come up with a quick fix to the informal economy which deprives workers in the informal sector of social protection, fair wages, and adequate working conditions.
The chairperson emphasized that employment remains at the core of sustainable development and industrialization in the region, hence the need to transition from informality to formality and equipping citizens with the skills they need to thrive in the 21st-century digitalized economy.
Ministry of labour and Social Security Permanent Secretary, Zechariah Luhanga informed the meeting that Zambia has made exceptional steps in reviewing the National employment policy to address issues on the labour market among them informality.
He also indicated that Zambia is mitigating the impacts of climate change by integrating solar as a primary energy source, to reduce reliance on Hydro energy, which affected productivity output on the labour market last year, when the country experienced drought.
Social partners, Zambia Congress of Trade Unions President Blake Mulala and Zambia Federation of Employers executive director Harrington Chibanda were also in attendance.
Issued by:
Mwaka Ndawa (MS)
Principal Public Relations Officer
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LABOUR MOURNS!

Ministry of Labour and Social Security Permanent Secretary, Zechariah Luhanga has urged Ministry staff to emulate the late Director for Occupational Safety and Health Services Department, George Patrick Kashinka in achieving professional excellence, if they intend to continue serving in the civil service.
Mr. Luhanga said Engineer Kashinka’s untimely death is a huge blow to the Ministry as it will be demanding to find a suitable officer to step into his shoes.
“He Joined the civil service as an inspector of factories on March 28, 2003, he was promoted in 2005 and again in July 2010 as chief inspector of factories. He attained the highest position of Director in February 2018, all because of his hard work. Cabinet approved in principle the amendment of the Factories Act and Occupational Health and Safety Institute Act due to his immense contributions,” Mr Luhanga said.
The Permanent Secretary was speaking during the funeral service of the late Director, which was held at Shalom Embassy Church in Lusaka.
Mr. Luhanga remembered Eng. Kashinka for leading a devotional life.
“I used to call him my engineer, we have lost a great man as a Ministry. He (Mr.Kashinka) always executed assignments diligently, we thank God for his gift, he was always ready to pray. As civil servants we need to portray our virtues both at work and church,” he said.
“He worked for the Ministry for 22 years and he could not be transferred to any other Ministry largely because his expertise was relevant to our Ministry. He was very kind, he was very hard working. For those in the Ministry, if you want us to keep you long, copy and paste what George did.”
He urged the children of the late Engineer Kashinka to follow in his footsteps as he pledged Government’s support, as they pull through a difficult time.
“To the children be the engineer George was, we will give you support as Government in any ways possible to ensure we reduce the suffering,”said Mr. Luhanga.
Zambia Congress of Trade Unions president, Blake Mulala remembered Mr. Kashinka for his proficiency.
“He was a spring of knowledge in the Ministry of Labour, who will be difficult to replace. George was a man full of joy, he imparted knowledge to others. We need to take care of the family and children beyond putting him to rest. We must live a life of service to others like he did,”said Mr. Mulala.
Shalom Embassy overseer, Pastor Sunday Sinyangwe urged mourners to always strive to leave a legacy that society will always remember.
Former Minister of Labor and Social Security, Fackson Shamenda and the four former Permanent Secretaries Trevor Kaunda, Chola Chabala, Owen Mugemezulu and Ngosa Chisupa who once worked with the late Director Kashinka joined the Ministry in paying last respects at the Memorial Park.
Eng. Kashinka who died at the age of 52 on March 19, 2025, around 02:00 hours after a short illness, was inhumed today at Lusaka’s Memorial Park.
He is survived by his wife Cynthia and two children.
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Minister of Labour and Social Security Mourns the late Director OSH, Engineer George Patrick Kashinka

Minister of Labour and Social Security, Brenda Mwika Tambatamba (MP), has expressed grief over the death of the Ministry’s late Director for Occupational, Safety and Health Services Department, whom she described as a flower, plucked too soon.
Ms. Tambatamba prayed that many more employees under the Ministry should sprout up like Mr George Kashinka, as he was a diligent man who advocated for the safety of workers in the world of work.
Engineer Kashinka died on March 19, 2025, around 02:00 hours after suffering a short illness.
The Minister visited the house of mourning yesterday, where she comforted the widow Mrs Cynthia Kashinka and offered words of encouragement.
Ms. Tambatamba remembered Director Kashinka as a devout Christian, and sociable employee who promoted the well being of others.
In giving comfort to the family the Minister offered this prayer:
“George was a smiling man, a hard worker, a loving man to his wife, family and acquaintances. Heavenly Father, George belonged to your church, he never took a moment or hesitated to make a prayer even at work,” she prayed.
“The Ministry of Labour and Social Security is not just a name but a place where God commanded him to take care of others. He was given a responsibility to take care of their lives to ensure their safety of the equipment they use at work.”
She expressed gratitude for the mastery that Mr. Kashinka possessed in executing his duties and contributed towards the Ministry’s achievements in ensuring safety of work places.
“Father God we know that he was your flower that you gave us in many ways that we talk about today and remember him, but we knew that he was your gorgeous flower that you gave us; and we knew that you gave it to us so that we could water it and one day you would claim it back,” she said.
“Father grow amongst us many more flowers that will take the place of George, I pray for the strength and fortitude in taking care of this family; to the wife, grant her strength: transfer the energy that was in engineer Kashinka into this woman (Cynthia) who has remained with the dream,” Ms. Tambatamba prayed as tears streamed down her cheeks.
“He had a dream! Father, it is a dream we mourn about, the dream for his children, a dream for his wife, a dream for his family members. It is that dream father that we pray to that you may endow us with it, so that we carry on where he left; the wife carries on with the children where he left that his children emulate him, that his remainder of the family carry on with the vision that he had.”
The minister urged ministerial staff to mirror the late Director’s strong work ethic.
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DEATH NOTICE

 

Lusaka 19th March 2025…The Ministry of Labour and Social Security is saddened to announce the passing of Mr. George Patrick Kashinka, who served as Director Occupational Safety and Health Services.

Engineer Kashinka breathed his last in the wee hours of March 19, 2025 around 02:00 hours, at the University Teaching Hospital after a short illness.

Eng. Kashinka who joined the Ministry on 28th March 2003, served with dedication and made noteworthy contributions towards the development of the Zambia Occupational Safety and Health association ACT, he spearheaded the review of the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) legal framework and OSH policy.

His efficiency and obligation to public service has left a lifelong impact on the Ministry. He will be remembered for his hard work, cheeriness and a positive attitude towards work.

The Ministry of Labour and Social Security wishes to extend heartfelt condolences to his family and stands in solidarity with everyone mourning his loss.

The funeral is being held at his home in Lusaka west at Plot No.5656M off Mumbwa Road.

Directions to the house of mourning are as follows:

Along Mumbwa road, just after Garden House Mall, turn left on the first gravel road, drive towards the MTN tower, and take the immediate turn on the left.

Issued by:

(Original Copy Signed)

Mwaka Ndawa (Ms)

Principal Public Relations Officer

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MINISTRY OF LABOUR INITIATES RE-ASSESMENT OF NATIONAL PRODUCTIVITY POLICY

REPUBLIC OF ZAMBIA
MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND SOCIAL SECURITY
(Press Release)
MINISTRY OF LABOUR INITIATES RE-ASSESMENT OF NATIONAL PRODUCTIVITY POLICY
Lusaka 17th March 2025…The Ministry of Labour and Social Security has commenced the review of the National Productivity Policy, to align it with the emerging trends on the labour market.
Since its initiation in 2021, the National Productivity Policy (NPP) was tailored to enhance productivity across Zambia’s sectors, ensuring viable economic growth and job creation with a focus on enterprise productivity improvement support, Productivity Consciousness awareness, Support to Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises and community engagement on productivity.
The review seeks to address the gaps in the modifications of the National Development plan, priorities and agenda, awareness and adoption of productivity improvement tools and practices together with the limited capacity of the institutions implementing the policy.
Other issues to be considered are: the weak institutional frameworks for implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of productivity, and emerging issues of climate change and digital transformation.
Speaking when he launched the review of the National Productivity Policy in Kafue today, Ministry of Labour and Social Security Permanent Secretary Zechariah Luhanga urged technocrats under the Ministry’s National Productivity Development Department (NPDD) and other stakeholders to devise an inclusive and progressive national productivity policy that will
tackle the decline of overall productivity growth.
Mr. Luhanga also emphasized on the establishment of a legal framework that promotes and measures productivity in the country. He further directed the technocrats to come up with a draft policy in an efficient and cost-effective manner in line with President Hakainde Hichilema’s directive of doing more with less.
“I therefore expect the new policy to be ready by the end of the second quarter so that a standard which can be replicated across other similar tasks is set, “said Mr. Luhanga.
Issued by:
Mwaka Ndawa
Principal Public Relations Officer
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Action Employment Policies – PS Zechariah Luhanga

10th March 2025…

Today, at the Employment Policy Training Workshop in Kitwe, Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, Mr. Zechariah Luhanga, emphasized the Government’s commitment to action policy reforms by creating more jobs and strengthening Zambia’s labour market. The training is led by the theme: “Learning From The Past, Preparing For The Future”.

(Zechariah Luhanga – Permanent Secretary MLSS)

Key Take aways from his Address:

  • Reviewing the 2018 National Employment Policy – The Government is working to align the policy with Vision 2030 and evolving labour market trends to promote decent work and economic growth.
  • Over 80,000 jobs created (2022-2023) – As part of the New Dawn Government’s economic transformation agenda, Zambia has seen significant job creation, and efforts are ongoing to expand employment opportunities.
  • Stronger partnerships for job creation – Strong partnerships between Government, employers, trade unions, and development partners are crucial to boost job creation, skills development, and workplace productivity.
  • ILO’s vital role –The International Labour Organization (ILO) is working with the Ministry to refine policies that ensure decent work, fair wages, and better labour conditions.

Way forward:

The Ministry is committed to finalising Employment policy updates, implementing key recommendations, and ensuring employment reforms benefit the people of Zambia.

Together, we are shaping a fair, inclusive, and thriving job market for Zambia’s future!

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Kasempa residents implored to contribute towards economic growth through productivity

Minister of Labour and Social Security, Brenda Mwika Tambatamba (MP) has urged residents of Kasempa to participate in the training and sensitization programs that will be conducted my the Ministry and its Statutory bodies within the area today.
Ms. Tambatamba was speaking when she attended Mass at St Andrew’s Catholic Church yesterday in Kasempa constituency.
Here are the Highlights:
✅Officials from the Ministry under the National Productivity Development Department,
will hold the Productivity Clinic to offer mentorship programs and business development training to members of the public, so that they can grow their enterprise.
✅The Labour Clinic will also be set up at Council offices allow the masses to access the services offered by the Ministry and its Statutory Bodies: Workers Compensation, Kaizen Institute of Zambia, Occupational Safety and Health Institute (OSHI) and the Zambia Isntitute of Human Resource (ZIRHM).
✅The public was urged to foster a culture of innovation.
✅Government called for increased productivity in agriculture, to promote food security and drive economic development.
✅Young girls were encouraged to believe in their potential if they intend to become future leaders; and urged to amplify their voices to foster change in their communities.
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Government Introduces Two Bills To Refine Social Security Schemes

5th March, 2025
The Ministry of Labour and social Security this morning held its first Tripartite Consultative Labour Council meeting this year, to address pressing labour issues.
Government, Employers, and Trade Unions held discussions on critical labour policies and workplace reforms.
As Government embarks on work place reforms Minister of Labour and Social Security, Brenda Mwika Tambatamba (MP) emphasized on the transformation of the informal economy to a formal economy.
Ms Tambatamba noted that, businesses in the informal economy operate without proper licenses and do not comply with regulatory requirements, and as a result, the workforce lacks access to social protection, fair wages and safe working conditions.
Highlights;
✅ The TCLC meeting focused on Social Protection, the discussion of the Health and Safety Association Bill, An update on the Employment Code Act Amendments and the Resolutions of the 51st African Regional Labour Administration Council meeting (ARLAC)
✅Government will undertake pension reforms to address deficiencies in the design, financing, administration and Supervision of the Schemes.
✅The reforms will provide an opportunity for the Pension Industry to address changes in the pension sector and improve on ways of doing business.
✅ Government will see to it that Pension Houses undertake strategic investments that will expand members’ benefits and economic development.
✅A new Pensions and Insurance Authority Bill has been introduced to prolong the lifespan of the Pensions and Insurance Authority as an entity.
✅The Bill also provides for the establishment of Pensions and Insurance Tribunal, which will speedily resolve disputes between public and private entities.
✅The Pension Scheme Regulation Bill provides for the inclusion of the Supervision of the Public Pension Schemes and the establishment of the Pension Protection Fund.
✅The Workers’ Compensation Bill seeks to modernize and harmonise the Workers Compensation Fund, improve benefits as well as extend cover to the informal sector and Public Service employees, and will repeal the Workers compensation Act no.10 of 1999.
✅Government reiterated its commitment to see to it that pensioners have sufficient retirement income.
The Social Security Bills will be tabled before Parliament soon.