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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.