Government has finalized the proposed national social security policy for the labour force in the country as a measure to provide adequate social protection.
Mines and Minerals development deputy minister Maxwell Mwale disclosed in Mufulira today during the commemoration of Labour Day held at the civic centre grounds.
He said the policy is aimed at creating a comprehensive social security system for workers.
Mr Mwale said government will in collaboration with social partners work tirelessly in ensuring that workers are provided with adequate social security benefits which will sustain them when faced with contingencies during and after employment.
He said the process of creating a comprehensive social security system has commenced and this system will ensure that adequate social protection is provided to the workers.
Mr Mwale however challenged workers and employers to evaluate their role in the enhancement of economic empowerment, enhancement of decent work and social justice amongst workers.
He added that it is the desire of government to encourage its citizens to be economically active through partnerships with foreign investors following the enactment of the Citizens Economic Empowerment Act.
The theme for this year’s Labour Day celebrations is ‘economic empowerment through decent work and social justice’.
Menwhile Mr. Mwale says government has continued to register a tremendous increase in both the local and foreign investment.
Mr Mwale said increased investment has also led to an economic boom that is being experienced in the country and this he added has created jobs for many Zambians.
He said in addressing the challenges arising from the jobs created government has launched the Zambia decent work country programme as an urgent and necessary step to ensure that the jobs are decent.
He said government will also improve its capacity to enforce the labour laws that protect workers rights and occupational health and safety.
Mr Mwale said as new jobs are being created government will guarantee that they are decent and of quality in nature so as to uplift the livelihoods and dignity of the people.
According to the 2007 labour force survey report, the country’s labour force stands at 4,918,788 and out of this 4,131,531 are employed which is representing 84 per cent of the labour force, the minister disclosed.
He said government has a challenge to ensure that the partnership between the public and private sector generate jobs that would absorb over 130,000 young people entering the labour market annually.
nd speaking earlier Zambia Congress of Trade Union trustee M’tumbi Goma said the economic growth that government is managing now should be acknowledged by respecting worker’s rights and creation of decent work.
Mr Goma said the increased demand for labour market flexibility by employers has weakened collective bargaining structures and it has lead to poor working conditions and vulnerability of workers.
He challenged workers to fight and strive to ensure that better legislation and other labour market laws that will bring dignity and respect for workers are adhered to by employers..
We still have those who are still waiting to be paid for their dues since some companies were privatized/liquidated (Contract Haulage, etc). Hopefully we strategize well on such policies before implementing them. Ifyakukopa kubasungu efileleta ama problems.
“According to the 2007 labour force survey report, the country’s labour force stands at 4,918,788 and out of this 4,131,531 are employed which is representing 84 per cent of the labour force, the minister disclosed.”
These statastics look unreal. Anyhow, they are impressive although I know many people who are still searching for jobs directly related tp what they studied. Otherwise, many are just doing hand-to-mouth jobs to atleast have something instead of depending on someone else.
What is the plan on housing the workers in habitable environments?
Another scam? Does anyone know where the monies you lose to NPF and Income Tax go to? After years and years of work, people walk out from NPF with less than K40,000. People on the CB go to Chingola to retrieve their taxes, but get K30.00. What about the other scam called ZSIC. When did you hear people in all those traffic accidents being compensated by ZSIC? All car owners in Zambia I assume have third party (liability) insurance. How many people were maimed by UBZ and their hopeless buses? How many in minibuses that are in accidents every day? Why are we so stupid to be treated like this by these stupid so called politicians? I SAY NO TO SOCIAL SECURITY. How secure will this SS be?
Very aptly put, Kalos. When you consider how much people pay to NAPSA or ZSIC and what they get in return, its inhuman. How can GRZ even think of SS when they can’t pay retirees from as recent as 2005 their dues?
Pains me to see us being taken for rides like this!
This is the problem in Zambia. A lot of people on this site are pseudo nationalists always defending govt ownership of certain enterprises not necessarily for rational economic reasons but just for the bare fact that it makes zambians ‘feel’ that they own something and that ‘we’ are in control. But this has been at great cost to the economy. Imagine that ZESCO were listed on the LUSE. ZESCO’s accounts would have been transparent and lenders would have been willing to lend ZESCO money. The same goes for the bankrupt ZAMTEL, ZSIC etc. Please let us have an open economy and have these companies listed.
Hi fellow zambians, just heard that Masebo fainted yestarday in kabwe, how true is it. back to South Africa our presdo (the king cobra) is doing great. have a lovely day country men and women
just deal with the chinesse and indians coz they are the main culprits, full stop. and the presdo knows. so hit the nil at the right spot.
The problem with these social security and insurance funds is they are not invested properly.Napsa collects monies and just puts it in a bank account earning little or no interest.They don’t have any meaningful investment ventures to speak of.KK used ZISC real estate.Thats dead now.Meaningful investment of these monies would yield returns enough for the account holders and retirees to be paid their appropriate dues and in time.Investment in more lucrative and stable economies beyond our borders is a good option if local opportunities prove not to be economically attractive.Alot of the world’s mega corporations are co-owned by natinal insurance and social funds from forward thinking countrie.
Right on #5 …I also believe these companies enjoying public funds need to have their accounts audited and published for all to see.Not only will the company be accountable but performance assessment of the specific officers charged with managing these firms shall also be possible.
Bonse namulasa
The idea is not bad and it is a good step to progress but I also agree with #1 who says: Ifyakukopa kubasungu efileleta ama problems. Why not find our own policy of social security that befits Zambian conditions of labour?