Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2006, published 96th ILC session (2007)

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

1. Implementation of an active employment policy. In reply to the 2003 observation, the Committee notes that the Government indicates in its report received in May 2006 that a comprehensive National Employment and Labour Strategy has been drafted. It further notes that during the period reviewed there was a slight decrease in formal sector employment (from 416,804 jobs in 2003 to 416,228 jobs in 2004), which the Government attributes to the downsizing of public sector employment. With respect to poverty reduction, Zambia’s Second PRSP Implementation Progress Report (July 2003 to June 2004) indicates that under the Peri-Urban Self-Help Programme, the Government planned a number of infrastructure projects applying labour-based techniques to build the capacity of vulnerable communities and provide jobs to counteract the country’s high unemployment. It also notes that HIV/AIDS threatens the country’s capacity-building efforts because it strikes the educated and uneducated, skilled and unskilled alike. The long periods of illness affecting workers have translated into severe losses in economic productivity. The Committee 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. Please also continue to provide information on how Zambia’s Poverty Reduction Strategy contributes to the creation of productive employment in the context of a coordinated economic and social policy. Furthermore, the Committee asks the Government to specify how its policy takes into consideration the effects of HIV/AIDS on employment generation (Articles 1 and 2 of the Convention).

2. The Committee recalls the Government’s expectation 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. Please provide information in the next report on the development of a labour market information system and the adoption of a national labour policy.

3. Youth employment. The Committee notes from the ILO Report of the Southern African Sub-Regional Conference on Youth Employment (2005) that young people constitute 70 per cent of the 4.7 million person workforce in Zambia. Economic decline, an inadequate education system along with  HIV/AIDS have all contributed to youth unemployment in the country. In response, the Government’s National Youth Policy (2005) and various youth development programmes have been introduced to promote skills development and work opportunities for the young. The Government is asked to provide further information on the implementation of these measures along with an assessment of their success in increasing employment opportunities for young workers.

4. Education and vocational training. The Committee notes from the Government’s report that, among the factors leading to low employment levels in Zambia, is the similarly low level of investment in education and training. It notes that, in response, the Government intends to introduce an education and training reform programme to improve access, quality and equity of basic education and training in the country. The Committee further notes that this programme will support skills training in the informal sector in response to the current labour market demands given that informal sector work is the source of livelihood for some 80 per cent of the working population. The Government is asked to provide details in its next report on the development and implementation of this reform programme. Please also provide specific information on the measures taken under this programme to meet the training needs of particular categories of workers, such as women, young people, older workers and workers with disabilities.

5. Collection and use of employment data. The Committee notes from the Government’s report that the Central Statistics Office (CSO) usually conducts surveys on information pertaining to the nature and extent of unemployment and underemployment. It also notes that since 2005, the Department of Labour has worked closely with the CSO on these surveys. The Committee asks the Government to specify how these data are used to determine and review employment policies (Article 2).

6. Participation of the social partners. The Committee notes from the Government’s report that the social partners are consulted through the Tripartite Consultative Council and were involved in the drafting of the National Employment and Labour Market Policy. The Committee asks the Government to provide more detailed information on the participation of the social partners in the ongoing decision-making and review of its national employment policy. Please also provide information on consultations with representatives of other sectors of the economically active population, such as those working in the rural sector and the informal economy (Article 3).