Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2003, published 92nd ILC session (2004)

Employment Policy Convention, 1964 (No. 122) - Zambia (Ratification: 1979)

1. Articles 1 and 2 of the Convention. The Committee notes the Government’s brief report received in October 2003 indicating that the period under review was characterized by increased formal sector employment and by increases in nominal earnings. Formal employment increased by 1.5 per cent, going from 487,340 jobs to 494,457 jobs, mainly in the private sector. This increase was a result of the increase in production, especially in manufacturing, and in wholesale and retail trade. The informal economy continued to grow in line with the growth of the labour force (mostly in the agricultural sector). In the previous comments addressed directly to the Government on the application of the Convention, the Committee already noted that it can be determined that most of those working in the informal economy can be classified as poor. Poverty is more prevalent in rural areas than in urban areas (83 per cent and 56 per cent, respectively, according to data included in the Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper, April 2002) but it has risen faster in urban areas lately due to failing industries and rising unemployment. Most of the rural poor are small-scale farmers, followed by medium-scale farmers.

2. The Government also states that it is expected that an ILO Project on Strengthening Labour Administration (SLASA) covering Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi and Zambia, may extend its assistance in the area of developing a comprehensive labour market information system. It adds that a draft national labour policy is being discussed with the social partners and will soon be submitted before Cabinet.

3. The Committee would appreciate receiving indications on the progress achieved to have a better knowledge of the situation, level and trends of employment, unemployment and underemployment. It trusts that the Government will supply a report containing detailed information on the principal policies pursued and measures taken with a view to ensuring that there is work for all who are available for and seeking work, with particular reference to policies and measures implemented under the national labour policy mentioned above. Please also indicate how the statistical data collected have been used as a basis for deciding on measures of employment policy, within the framework of a coordinated economic and social policy.

4. In its previous comment, the Committee noted that HIV/AIDS threatens the country’s capacity-building efforts because it strikes the educated and skilled as well as the uneducated. The long periods of illness of the skilled personnel wherein employment has translated into severe loss in economic productivity (as mentioned in the Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper). The Committee would be grateful if the Government would specify the efforts made to reduce the impact of HIV/AIDS on employment. Please also provide information on the measures taken in order to meet the employment and training needs of particular categories of workers such as women, young people, older workers and workers with disabilities.

5. Article 3. The Committee again requests the Government to provide details with regard to the consultations concerning employment policy. The Committee points out that this important provision of the Convention requires the involvement in consultations of government authorities and of representatives of the persons affected by the employment policy measures to be taken. The aim of the consultations is to take fully into account their experience and views and secure their full cooperation in formulating and implementing the employment policy. Representatives of the persons affected must include representatives of employers’ and workers’ organizations and also representatives of sectors of the economically active population such as the rural sector and the informal economy. In view of the importance of the informal economy, the Committee would appreciate receiving in the next report information on any consultations envisaged with representatives of the rural sector and of the informal economy on the matters covered by the Convention.

6. The preparation of the next report, which is due in 2004, including information requested in this observation, will certainly provide the Government and the social partners with an opportunity to evaluate the progress made towards the achievement of the objective of full and productive employment of the Convention. The Committee reminds the Government that the technical assistance of the Office is available to comply with the reporting obligations and for the implementation of an active employment policy in the sense of the Convention.