Government has challenged the Zambia Institute of Human Resource Management (ZIHRM) to put in place mechanisms that will enforce the ban on non-Zambians from performing human resource functions.
Labour and Social Security Minister Fackson Shamenda said this during a consultative meeting with human resources heads from various companies in Lusaka yesterday.
Mr Shamenda reiterated that it was Government’s view that non-Zambians should not perform human resource functions as the country had enough trained citizens to effectively handle such duties.
“Human resource functions are better understood by Zambians who have an in-depth understanding of the local people and their cultural practices.
“In this regard, Government would like to challenge the Zambia Institute of Human Resource Management to put in place mechanisms to enforce the provisions of the Act,” he said.
He said Government in conjunction with ZIHRM would be reviewing the ZIHRM Act to strengthen the enforcement of the mechanisms which would be acceptable by everyone.
He said Zambia had seen an increase in unlicensed human resource practitioners working in various institutions, something which should be addressed.
Mr Shamenda warned that Government would not allow non-Zambians to engage in businesses that could effectively be undertaken by Zambians as that reduced job creation opportunities for the citizenry.
“Government will soon be taking appropriate action to address this concern. The Ministry has also received reports that there are few employers who are not complying with the Statutory Instrument (SI) on the revision of the minimum wage, but it is expected that they would all do so by June this year,” he said.
He said the ministry had continued receiving reports of employers abusing their workers in various forms instead of promoting an atmosphere that fostered good relations through social dialogue to sort out disputes.
He warned that Government would not condone industrial unrest as it was retrogressive to national development, adding that investment could only thrive where there was industrial harmony.
He extended his warning to employers who were terminating employment contracts without giving employees a chance to exculpate themselves to desist as that was against the International Labour Organisation Convention 158 and international best practices.
Friedrich Ebert Stiftung programme manager Kathy Short pledged her organisation’s commitment in realising a better Zambia for all by promoting dialogue as well as a decent working environment.
ZIHRM president Winner Kanyembo said the Institute welcomed the ban on foreigners to perform human resource functions as the country churned out enough Zambians to perform that task and was hopeful the directive could be backed by a legal framework.
Zambia Federation of Employers executive director Harringtone Chibanda emphasised on the importance of social dialogue as well as labour as a key factor of production.
Zambia Congress of Trade Unions president Leonard Hikaumba said it was gratifying to note that Government was committed to ensuring that only local and qualified human resource practitioners were allowed to practice and was hopeful that such a provision be clearly outlined in the law, if it did not exist.
I thought shamemumende banned them already, why he is now asking zihr to find mechanism to ban then now.
Country men, this is long over due. Besides the HR department the Minster will do well to look at contracts that over stretched just keep Zambians from occupying strategical position’s.
Our good old friend Xenophobia is finally here. Welcome Sir!
I visited Botswana a long time ago. I liked some things they were doing for their countty: If you are foreigner and want to set up business you must partner with a national there; you must employ nationals as well; they would not employ a foreigner if a national could do that job; they were and are still jelousy with their diamonds and very protective. That was 14 years ago. But in Zambia you can fire 7 senior local managers and leave crafty but non achiever foreign managers who just get figures from hard working locals. Crazy stuff! But for how long?
What about the rampant corruption by Zambian HR perosnnel when it comes to recruitment. They always looking for their cut when you apply for a job or you must know somebody. This is just to make sure Zambian HR have more money in their pockets at expense of the workers.
that sounds better but we normally say and do the opposite.
Zambia is ours, Shamenda Bravo!
Tonga working in PF. This is the only thing from 2011 which can cheer Professionals for once which PF has done.
That is a brilliant move Ba Shamenda, but don’t just hand over the issue to ZIHRM, then go into hiding. That is what you usually do. “The ZIHRM President Winner Kanyembo said that the Institute welcomed the ban on foreigners to perform HR functions,……… and was hopeful the directive could be backed by a legal framework.” So Ba Minister if you sit back, the whole thing will just end up no where. Make sure that you enforce the directive.
Great Point Hon. Shamenda. I cant I understand why HR Institute have never addressed this. Keep it up Minister and God Bless you.
Such closed short sited ideas are not progressive. You should always find the best person for the job. That type of thinking didn’t do much for communism maybe it is time to try capitalism which has proven to be a way to grow an economy. We only have two legit universities; they are not enough to produce skilled man power. Why not benefit from talent elsewhere while Zambians train to grow into those positions. Being in a position sorely because you are Zambian not the best candidate will continue the culture in inadequacy. As government your role is to put into place laws that protect the worker not dictating how private industry runs their affairs.