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The Industrial Relations Act, 1990.

Main Region

First Region

Zambia
Freedom of association, collective bargaining and industrial relations
1991-01-23
Law, Act

Second Region

An Act to revise the law relating to trade unions, the Zambia Congress of Trade, employers's associations, the Zambia Federation of Employers, the Industrial Relations Court, recognition of collective agreements, settlement of collective disputes, strikes and lockouts, essential services and works councils; to provide for the establishment of the tripartite labour consultative council; to repeal and replace the Industrial Relations Act 1971 (Legislative Series, 1971-Zam. 2); and to provide for matters connected therewith. One of the stated objectives of the new Act is to make trade union affiliation to the Zambia Congress of Trade Unions optional with a view to promoting a multi-union system. Section 35(2) stipulates that "the Congress shall have no jurisdiction over any trade union affiliated to it in any domestic matter...". The overall impression conveyed by the Act is a shift towards the liberalisation of industrial relations. Interesting changes have been made in the provisions relating to trade union funds, notably in respect of auditing procedures, the objectives for which funds can or cannot be expended, and the possibility of establishing voluntary political funds. New emphasis is placed on the training of trade unions leaders and employers as a means of improving industrial relations. Under the new Act, essential workers are granted easier access to the Industrial Relations Court, while a balloted strike or lockout action is introduced for non-essential workers. Furthermore, illegal strikes are no longer punishable by imprisonment as used to be the case under the 1971 Act.

Repealing Text region

Serial region

    Serial title
    Printed separately
    Date
    1990