Workers’ Rights under discussion

Worker’s Day seems a good time to think about the hopes for a solution to the long-running problems of workers’ rights in Zambia. As previously discussed, legislation passing through Parliament has been heavily criticized by trade unions for failing to tackle the biggest problems with the current system.

The Daily Mail reports that both main opposition parties in Zambia, the UPND and the Patriotic Front have said they will vote against the Government’s proposals until the state brings the unions on board. UPND vice-president Richard Kapita expressed concerns about casualisation, said Government should take a more proactive role in labour issues to ensure that workers are not abused and called on the Ministry of Labour and Social Security (MLSS) to widely consult stakeholders before amending the Industrial and Labour Relations Act. “As we celebrate this year’s Labour Day, it is sad that unemployment levels have continued to surge more and more among our people, especially the youths who are now roaming the streets without employment while those in employment no longer have satisfaction of their labour,” Mr Kapita said.

The Patriotic Front (PF) has also said it would not support new amendments to the Industrial and Labour Relations Act until a consensus was reached. PF general secretary Edward Mumbi said his party would only support legislation and political changes aimed at improving the welfare of the Zambian workers. “The Party joins Zambian workers and their representatives in wishing for prosperity and a fairer share of the great wealth currently being extracted from the country’s natural resources.”

The editorial in the Government-run Times of Zambia on the other hand, reports comments from Labour and Social Security Minister, Ronald Mukuma. "Zambia needs job creation, and the Government is determined to ensure that these jobs are essentially decent; providing rights at work, social protection and social dialogue," said Mr Mukuma in his foreword in the "Decent Work Country Programme" DWCP document for Zambia developed by the Government in conjunction with the United Nations International Labour Organisation, ILO, Lusaka Office.

The editorial notes that the designation of the MLSS as an economic ministry as opposed to a social ministry, has effectively brought labour and employment issues to centre stage, and the ministry has garnered an increased share of the Budget to enable it address the various challenges in the employment and labour sector. During 2006 to 2007, the paaper claims there has been considerable evidence of an enhanced capacity within the MLSS including doubling of its team of labour inspectors and procurement of a new fleet of vehicles to undertake inspections. “We have since carried out a total of 3,500 inspections countrywide during the past one year following the acquisition of vehicles and recruitment of 20 labour and factory inspectors. This has brought to 91 the total number of inspectors we have deployed countrywide,” said ministry of Labour ad Social Security Permanent Secretary, Ngosa Chisupa. Mr Chisupa said the Government has ratified 39 of International Labour Conventions which are currently in force. He said that the Government will progressively domesticate the Conventions in the revised labour laws when they are passed by Parliament. "We have finished the proposed amendments to the labour laws and these will be tabled in Parliament when it resumes sitting in January, 2008. We are confident that when passed, the laws will provide a conducive climate for labour to play its maximum and rightful role in the economic development of Zambia," said Mr Chisupa.