TAMBATAMBA CALLS FOR AN EXPANSION OF THE WORKFORCE

REPUBLIC OF ZAMBIA
MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND SOCIAL SECURITY
Press Release
TAMBATAMBA CALLS FOR AN EXPANSION OF THE WORKFORCE
Lusaka, 10th January, 2025… Minister of Labour and Social Security Brenda Tambatamba (MP)
says government has come up with interventions to increase the workforce on the labour market
that will contribute towards the economy.
To this effect she has called on the labour movement and labour sector to work hand in glove.
Speaking during the opening of the Federation of Free Trade Unions of Zambia (FFTUZ)
advisory council meeting this morning, Honorable Tambatamba advised the labour movement to
continue creating a favorable climate for the private sector to also flourish.
“Provide an enabling environment to reboot the private sector. We have the Public Dialogue
Forum (PPDF) where government is vigorously pushing the agenda to bring in sub-platforms to
ensure that we drive not only the private sector but ensuring that we set a base for the upcoming
future private sector companies in the Informal sector,” she said.
“With the CDF we have seen how government is driving the broadening of employment out
there in places where we typically would not be looking out for job creation. It used to happen
but not deliberately.”
The minister said government has continued employing public sevice workers and looks forward
to enlist more workers on the labour market and refine labour policies.
Honorable Tambatamba urged the FFTUZ and affiliate unions to promote worker education in
order to bridge the skills gap on the labour market.
She said government is spearheading the implementation of the national labour migration
strategy to promote well-regulated export of labour, skill transfers and facilitation of remittances
of revenue to the treasury.
“May I remind you and the nation that in the Interest of improving the economic welfare of the
workers in Zambia, the new dawn government has continued championing the decent work
agenda through labour law reforms. Cabinet approved in principle the amendment of some of our
labour laws, namely, the industrial and labour relations act cap 269, the employment code act no.
3 of 2019, the factories act number 441 and occupational health and safety act number 36 of
2010 of the laws of Zambia,” she said.
The minister noted with concern that most of the newly formed trade unions are failing to
represent their members due to lack of proper orientation on operation of the labour movement,
as well as the infights amongst the labour unions which have a negative effect on advocating for
the interests of affiliated members.
She urged FFTUZ to remain resolute to serve the people in various economic sectors.
And FFTUZ president Muyawa Kabisa encouraged unity among affiliate members to ensure that
the disputes that engulf unions do not pose as a hindrance in serving the members.
He said the revitalizing of the mining industry, the employment of more staff in the health and
education sectors, are some of the actions that give hope to the working class as it is an
indication that the country will pull through the economic predicament.
Mr Kabisa commended government for setting up a Presidential Delivery Unit to “fast track
development priorities and deliver better public services, and future gain for the citizenry.
“With this unit reporting directly to the President, we believe the President and his cabinet, will
be able to timely address the pressing challenges our country is facing,” said Mr Kabisa.
Issued by:
(Official copy signed)
Mwaka Ndawa (Miss)
Principal Public Relations Officer

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