By Kwangu Manda,
For decades, Zambia’s miners—and industrial workers at large—have been used as political stepping stones by those seeking public office. Their labour fuels the economy, yet their welfare often becomes an afterthought once elections are over.
While employee welfare is partly linked to sector performance, it is impossible to ignore the persistent policy gaps in a country so richly endowed with natural resources. These gaps are largely the result of weak and outdated industrial laws. What currently exists is simply not sufficient for a modern Zambia.
Here is what must change:
First, Zambia must incorporate Chapter 3 of the International Labour Organization’s (ILO) Collective Bargaining Policy Guide into the Industrial and Labour Relations Act of 2019. This chapter guarantees the right to informed negotiations, ensuring that workers bargain from a position of knowledge rather than uncertainty.
Second, Chapter 5 of the same guide must be adopted. It requires collective bargaining to be constructive and meaningful. Upon request by workers’ organisations, employers—both public and private—should be legally required to provide access to information on:
- the economic and social situation of the negotiating unit and the enterprise as a whole; and
- the overall economic and social condition of the country and the relevant sector.
Third, Zambia needs an independent body to monitor industrial activity and ensure the fair distribution of the fruits of labour. Modeled on institutions such as Japan’s Productivity Center, this body would act as an intermediary between employers and workers’ representatives, while also serving as a neutral oversight mechanism during collective bargaining processes.
Finally, there must be a robust monitoring system for local content tenders—one that links the value and nature of awarded contracts to employee welfare. Such a system must be benchmarked against health and safety standards, as well as quality and compliance requirements appropriate to the nature of the work involved.
To lawmakers: Zambia’s miners have entrusted you with the responsibility of protecting their well-being through laws that enhance their lives and empower them to bargain fairly. That trust must not be betrayed. Do not forget them.
