- COMPLIANCE AND CONTRIBUTION: EMPLOYERS ARE A PRIMARY
FINANCING ENGINE FOR CONTRIBUTORY SOCIAL PROTECTION.
ENSURING TIMELY, ACCURATE, AND FULL REMITTANCE OF
CONTRIBUTIONS MAY NOT ONLY BE A LEGAL REQUIREMENT BUT ALSO
AN ETHICAL OBLIGATION THAT SUPPORTS THE SYSTEM’S
SUSTAINABILITY. - SOCIAL DIALOGUE AND POLICY FORMULATION: AS A SOCIAL
PARTNER, WE HAVE AS PRIVATE SECTOR PARTICIPATED IN NATIONAL
DISCUSSIONS ON THE DESIGN, REFORM, AND GOVERNANCE OF THE
CURRENT CONTRIBUTORY SOCIAL SECURITY SCHEMES IN THE
COUNTRY. WE HAVE AND WE WILL ENSURE THAT IN OUR
ENGAGEMENT WE WILL ADVOCATE FOR SYSTEMS THAT WILL ENSURE
THAT SYSTEMS REMAIN SUSTAINABLE, AFFORDABLE, AND
SUPPORTIVE OF ENTERPRISE COMPETITIVENESS.
4 - VOLUNTARY SOCIAL PROTECTION INITIATIVES: MANY PRIVATE
SECTOR COMPANIES ALREADY PROVIDE SUPPLEMENTARY HEALTH
INSURANCE, PENSIONS, OR EMPLOYEE WELFARE PROGRAMMES.
SUCH VOLUNTARY SCHEMES MIRROR GLOBAL BEST PRACTICES AND
ENHANCE THE WELFARE OF A ZAMBIAN WORKER.
MOVING AHEAD, THE PRIVATE SECTOR IN ZAMBIA STANDS READY TO
COLLABORATE WITH GOVERNMENT, THE LABOUR MOVEMENT AND THE ILO
IN ENSURING THAT ANY REFORMS TO THE SYSTEM BALANCE SOCIAL
PROTECTION OBJECTIVES WITH THE CAPACITY OF ENTERPRISES TO
REMAIN COMPETITIVE AND AT THE SAME TIME GENERATE DECENT JOBS.
CHILD LABOUR AND LABOUR MARKET INFORMATION SYSTEMS
ON CHILD LABOUR, WE ALSO WELCOME THE LAUNCH OF THE LABOUR
MARKET INFORMATION SYSTEM AND THE CHILD LABOUR REPORT. WE
BELIEVE THAT ACCURATE LABOUR-MARKET DATA IS ESSENTIAL FOR
INFORMED DECISION-MAKING BY BOTH THE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTORS.
FOR EMPLOYERS, RELIABLE DATA SUPPORTS SKILLS PLANNING,
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, WAGE-SETTING, AND STRATEGIC
INVESTMENT DECISIONS.
THEREFORE, THE ZFE AND ITS MEMBERSHIP REMAIN COMMITTED TO
WORKING WITH THE GOVERNMENT AND THE OTHER SOCIAL PARTNERS TO
ELIMINATE ALL FORMS OF CHILD LABOUR AS WE HAVE ALWAYS DONE IN THE
PAST. WE URGE THE BUSINESS HOUSES TO ACTIVELY ENSURE COMPLIANCE
WITH OUR ZAMBIAN LABOUR LAWS WHEN IT COMES TO RECRUITMENT OF
WORKERS TO BE MINDFUL OF THE RIGHT AGE AT WHICH A JOB SEEKER
SHOULD BE EMPLOYED. VARIOUS COMPANIES MUST STRENGTHEN DUE
DILIGENCE IN SUPPLY CHAINS, AND SUPPORT INITIATIVES THAT KEEP
CHILDREN IN SCHOOL AND AWAY FROM HAZARDOUS WORK. WE HAVE READ
REPORTS THAT SUGGEST THAT THERE ARE CASES OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING
WHICH INCLUDE TRAFFICKING OF CHILDREN WITHIN THE COUNTRY AND IN
OTHER CASES WHERE ZAMBIA IS USED AS A TRANSIT COUNTRY. THIS CALLS
FOR A LOT OF WORK FROM OUR GOVERNMENT IN TERMS OF ENHANCING
SECURITY MEASURES AT ENTRY POINTS TO CURB THIS VICE.
GUEST OF HONOUR, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, WHERE THERE ARE DEFICITS
IN THE PROVISION OF SOCIAL SECURITY SERVICES OR COVERAGE, WE
NEED TO ASK QUESTIONS LIKE HOW DO WE BUILD A SOCIAL SECURITY
SYSTEM THAT IS INCLUSIVE, SUSTAINABLE, AND RESPONSIVE TO THE
EVOLVING NATURE OF WORK? HOW DO WE ENSURE THAT NO WORKER IS
LEFT BEHIND WHETHER IN THE FORMAL OR INFORMAL ECONOMY, THAT
EMPLOYERS ARE NOT OVER-BURDENED, AND THAT THE SYSTEM REMAINS
FINANCIALLY VIABLE?
5
IN DOING SO, WE WILL STRENGTHEN SOCIAL SOLIDARITY, REDUCE
VULNERABILITY, PROTECT ENTERPRISES’ HUMAN CAPITAL, AND BUILD A. IN DOING SO, WE WILL STRENGTHEN SOCIAL SOLIDARITY, REDUCE - VULNERABILITY, PROTECT ENTERPRISES’ HUMAN CAPITAL, AND BUILD A
- FOUNDATION FOR SUSTAINABLE ECONOMIC GROWTH.
- THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION AND MAY THE GOOD LORD BE WITH US
- ALL.
- I THANK YOU
THE GUEST OF HONOUR MINISTER OF LABOUR AND SOCIAL SECURITY
MS. BRENDA MWIKA TAMBATAMBA MP.
THE PERMANENT SECRETARY MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND SOCIAL
SECURITY MR. ZACHARIA LUHANGA
SENIOR GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS PRESENT.
THE DEPUTY SECRETARY GENERAL ZAMBIA CONGRESS OF TRADE
UNIONS DR. CHUNGU AND YOUR TEAM
THE PRESIDENT OF THE FEDERATION OF FREE TRADE UNIONS IN
ZAMBIA DR. MUYAYWA KABISA AND YOUR TEAM
THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED FEDERATION OF EMPLOYERS IN
ZAMBIA MR. HAMPHREY MONDE
THE ILO DIRECTOR FOR ZAMBIA AND MALAWI AND SPECIAL
REPRESENTATIVE TO COMESA MR. WELLINGTON CHIBEBE.
MEMBERS OF THE PRESS
DISTINGUISHED GUESTS
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN
I AM DELIGHTED TO HAVE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO DELIVER SOME REMARKS
ON BEHALF OF THE EMPLOYERS AT THIS IMPORTANT EVENT WHICH IS THE
LAUNCH OF THE COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS REPORT ON THE ILO SOCIAL
SECURITY (MINIMUM STANDARDS ) CONVENTION 1952 ( NO. 102) TOGETHER
WITH THE LABOUR MARKET INFORMATION SYSTEM AND THE CHILD LABOUR
REPORT.
ALLOW ME TO BEGIN BY THANKING THE MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND SOCIAL
SECURITY, TOGETHER WITH THE ILO, FOR THE COLLABORATION THAT HAS
CULMINATED IN THE FINDINGS AND HENCE THE REPORT WE ARE
LAUNCHING TODAY. GUEST OF HONOUR , EVIDENCE-BASED POLICY
INSTRUMENTS SUCH AS THIS ONE ARE INDISPENSABLE IN SHAPING A
RESILIENT, INCLUSIVE, AND A SUSTAINABLE LABOUR MARKET FOR ANY
COUNTRY.
2
CONVENTION 1952 NO. 102 AND THE IMPERATIVE OF COMPREHENSIVE
SOCIAL SECURITY
THE ILO CONVENTION 1952 ( NO. 102 ) REMAINS THE FOUNDATIONAL GLOBAL
BENCHMARK FOR SOCIAL SECURITY AS IT SETS MINIMUM STANDARDS
ACROSS NINE CRITICAL BRANCHES, WHICH INCLUDE MEDICAL CARE,
SICKNESS, UNEMPLOYMENT, OLD AGE, EMPLOYMENT INJURY, FAMILY
BENEFITS, MATERNITY, INVALIDITY, AND SURVIVORS’ BENEFITS. ALTHOUGH
IT WAS ADOPTED IN 1952, ITS PROVISIONS REMAIN HIGHLY RELEVANT
ESPECIALLY FOR DEVELOPING ECONOMIES LIKE OURS THAT CONTINUE TO
EXPAND FORMAL EMPLOYMENT, STRENGTHEN REGULATORY
FRAMEWORKS, AND PROGRESSIVELY ENHANCING SOCIAL PROTECTION
COVERAGE.
IT IS OUR VIEW AS EMPLOYERS THAT ZAMBIA’S COMPARATIVE ASSESSMENT
AGAINST THE CONVENTION 1952 ( NO. 102) PROVIDES AN OBJECTIVE
MIRROR FOR US TO EVALUATE THE ADEQUACY, EFFECTIVENESS, AND
SUSTAINABILITY OF OUR SOCIAL SECURITY SYSTEM. THIS IS PARTICULARLY
IMPORTANT BECAUSE SOCIAL SECURITY IS NOT ONLY A HUMAN RIGHT BUT
ALSO A CRUCIAL ECONOMIC STABILIZER. FOR EMPLOYERS, IT SUPPORTS
LABOUR PRODUCTIVITY, ENHANCES LABOUR-MARKET COMPETITIVENESS,
AND CONTRIBUTES TO NATIONAL COHESION.
AS EMPLOYERS, WE STRONGLY RECOGNIZE THAT AN EFFICIENT SOCIAL
PROTECTION SYSTEM MUST REST ON BOTH CONTRIBUTORY AND NONCONTRIBUTORY PILLARS.
FIRST, CONTRIBUTORY SCHEMES NOTABLY THE NATIONAL PENSION
SCHEME AUTHORITY (NAPSA) AND OTHER OCCUPATIONAL PENSION
SCHEMES PUBLIC AND PRIVATE IN ZAMBIA , THE NATIONAL HEALTH
INSURANCE SCHEME OFFERED THROUGH THE NATIONAL HEALTH
INSURANCE MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY (NHIMA) AND PRIVATE HEALTH
SCHEMES THAT ARE OFFERED BY A NUMBER OF PRIVATE COMPANIES,
FORM THE BACKBONE OF FORMAL-SECTOR PROTECTION. INTERNATIONAL
BEST PRACTICES SHOW THAT STRONG CONTRIBUTORY PENSION AND
HEALTH INSURANCE SYSTEMS REDUCE VULNERABILITY AMONG WORKERS,
IMPROVE BUSINESS CONTINUITY, AND REDUCE THE FINANCIAL BURDEN ON
EMPLOYERS THROUGH PREDICTABLE AND WELL-GOVERNED SCHEMES.
FOR EMPLOYERS, WHAT IS CRITICAL IS SUSTAINABILITY, TRANSPARENCY,
AND COST-EFFECTIVENESS. GUEST OF HONOUR, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN,
A WELL-MANAGED CONTRIBUTORY SYSTEM MUST ENSURE THE FOLLOWING
:
– PRUDENT INVESTMENT AND FUND GOVERNANCE,
– ADMINISTRATIVE EFFICIENCY THAT MINIMISES COMPLIANCE COSTS,
– ACTUARIAL SUSTAINABILITY TO PROTECT CONTRIBUTORS,
– TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY IN REPORTING AND
– DIGITAL SYSTEMS THAT MAKE COMPLIANCE SEAMLESS FOR
ENTERPRISES.
3
GUEST OF HONOUR, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, EQUALLY IMPORTANT IS THE
NON-CONTRIBUTORY PILLAR OF SOCIAL SECURITY, SUCH AS THE SOCIAL
CASH TRANSFER (SCT) PROGRAMMES WHICH AIMS AT ASSISTING THE MOST
VULNERABLE HOUSEHOLDS BY PROVIDING REGULAR CASH PAYMENTS TO
HELP MEET THEIR BASIC NEEDS, THE FOOD SECURITY PACK AND THE GIRLS
EDUCATION AND WOMEN’S EMPOWERMENT AND LIVELIHOODS OF
VULNERABLE PEOPLE WHICH THE GOVERNMENT IS IMPLEMENTING. MAY I
AT THIS JUNCTURE COMMEND THE NEW DAWN GOVERNMENT FOR HAVING
INCREASED THE NUMBER OF HOUSEHOLDS AS BENEFICIARIES OF THE
SOCIAL CASH TRANSFER FROM 895,000 IN 2021 TO 1.3 MILLION IN 2025,
WHICH WILL MOVE TO 1.5 MILLION IN 2026 AS HAS BEEN ANNOUNCED IN THE
2026 NATIONAL BUDGET.
WHILE THIS PILLAR PRIMARILY SUPPORTS VULNERABLE HOUSEHOLDS, IT
PLAYS A COMPLEMENTARY ROLE BY REDUCING EXTREME POVERTY AND
ENHANCING HUMAN CAPITAL DEVELOPMENT.
GUEST OF HONOUR , LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, STUDIES IN COUNTRIES
SUCH AS BRAZIL, SOUTH AFRICA, AND RWANDA HAVE SHOWN THAT NONCONTRIBUTORY SCHEMES SIGNIFICANTLY IMPROVE SOCIAL-ECONOMIC
MOBILITY AND CREATE A MORE STABLE CONSUMER BASE, WHICH
ULTIMATELY BENEFITS BUSINESSES.
ZAMBIA’S DUAL SOCIAL PROTECTION ARCHITECTURE IS THEREFORE NOT
ONLY SOCIALLY RESPONSIBLE BUT ALSO ECONOMICALLY STRATEGIC.
THE ROLE OF THE PRIVATE SECTOR IN SOCIAL SECURITY PROVISION
GUEST OF HONOUR, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, THE PRIVATE SECTOR’S
ROLE IN SOCIAL SECURITY DEVELOPMENT CANNOT BE OVERSTATED.
EMPLOYERS INFLUENCE THE SYSTEM IN THREE MAJOR WAYS: