Honorable Brenda Mwika Tambatamba, the Minister of Labour and Social Security, delivered a speech during the launch and dissemination of the 2022 Labour Force Survey Report and the 2020 Child Labour Report, Held at Taj Pamodzi 5 Star Hotel in Lusaka Zambia. The key points of her speech included:
- Purpose of the Reports: The Minister highlighted that these reports provided crucial statistics needed for informed policy decisions and interventions in both the public and private sectors. The Labour Force Survey Report covered vital labor market indicators such as employment status, sector-wise employment, youth employment, and unemployment rates, which were essential for setting national development goals.
- Unemployment and Job Creation: The Minister expressed concern about high levels of unemployment, particularly among the youth. The government had implemented various measures to address this issue, including the Constituency Development Fund, Youth Empowerment Fund, and plans for significant public service worker recruitment.
- Youth Empowerment: To enhance youth employability, the government was offering bursaries and scholarships, while also partnering with the European Union and the International Labour Organization for a skills development program.
- Informal Employment and Social Security: A significant portion of the workforce operated informally, lacking social security benefits and job security. The Ministry was working on extending social security coverage to the informal sector and addressing informality in sectors like agriculture, trade, households, and construction.
- Protection of Workers’ Rights: The government was taking steps to address the casualization of workers and had initiated labor law reforms, starting with revisions to the Employment Code Act.
- Child Labour: The 2020 Child Labour Report revealed that child labor, especially hazardous work, remained a concern. The government had strengthened child protection legislation and increased access to free education to reduce child labor.
- Launch of Handbook: The Minister also launched a “Frequently Asked Questions and Responses Handbook” to explain the Ministry’s mandate, statutory bodies, and the rights and responsibilities of workers and employers.
- Gratitude: Honorable Brenda Tambatamba expressed gratitude to all attendees, cooperating partners, and the International Labour Organization for their support in producing the reports. She declared the reports officially launched.
This speech underscored the government’s commitment to addressing labor-related challenges, promoting youth empowerment, extending social security, protecting workers’ rights, and combating child labor in Zambia.
