THE International Labour Organisation (ILO) for has lauded Government’s strong commitment to international labour standards amidst calls for them to improve its reporting compliance, particularly regarding Convention No. 29 on forced labour.
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Speaking at the official opening of a high-level workshop on international labour standards reporting on Wednesday, Wellington Chibebe, director of the ILO Country Office for Zambia, Malawi, and Mozambique, praised Zambia’s ratification of 49 ILO conventions, including all fundamental and governance instruments.
He said however, that ratification alone is not enough.
“The true measure of commitment lies in the effective implementation of these standards,” Chibebe said.
“This workshop is part of a broader initiative to help Zambia meet its reporting responsibilities and strengthen its institutional capacity.”
Chibebe highlighted that Zambia was one of the most prepared countries at the recent 113th International Labour Conference (ILC) in Geneva, attributing this success to the delegation’s collaborative approach and open consultation.
He commended the government’s commitment to submitting an out-of-cycle report on Convention 29 by September 1, 2025, as requested by the ILO’s Committee on the Application of Standards.
The workshop brought together government officials, employers, and workers’ representatives in a bid to strengthen Zambia’s adherence to ILO’s reporting mechanisms under Articles 19 and 22 of its Constitution.
Zambia Federation of Employers (ZFE) president Myra Ngoma, underscored the importance of international labour standards in promoting fair employment practices, improving productivity, and ensuring a safe working environment.
Representing the Zambia Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU), Catherine Kantumoya acknowledged the need for accurate and timely reporting.
She noted that Zambia’s recent citation at the Geneva conference over Convention 29 could have been avoided with more effective data submission.
“This workshop is timely. It equips us with the tools to provide quality reports that reflect Zambia’s actual progress,” she said.
“The resolutions adopted in Geneva, such as formalising the informal economy and addressing platform work and biological hazards, also require immediate national attention.”
Kantumoya further requested technical and financial support from the ILO to implement the newly adopted resolutions effectively.
Zambia was recently listed by the ILO’s Committee on the Application of Standards for non-compliance with Convention 29, which prohibits all forms of forced labour, including human trafficking.
The country ratified the convention in 1964 but has been flagged for gaps in implementation and reporting.
Minister of Labour and Social Security Brenda Tambatamba reiterated the government’s commitment to meeting international obligations.
Addressing delegates, she emphasised the importance of accountability and the role of collective action in avoiding international citations that could impact Zambia’s reputation and investment climate.
“When Zambia is cited, it is the entire government that is cited,” said Tambatamba. “This workshop is a testament to our collective responsibility and determination to improve.”
She addressed the recent concerns raised over the Zambia National Service (ZNS) programme, which had attracted scrutiny from the ILO’s Committee on the Application of Standards for allegedly promoting forced labour.
Tambatamba clarified that ZNS training is no longer compulsory, having last been mandated in the early 1980s.
Currently, it functions as a voluntary, skills-based initiative aimed at empowering youth through training in agriculture, crafts, and other vocational disciplines.
The government is also reviewing the ZNS Act to ensure alignment with international labour conventions.
Permanent Secretary Zechariah Luhanga echoed these remarks, noting that the Ministry of Justice is in the process of updating relevant policy frameworks to reflect the voluntary nature of ZNS.
He emphasised that the training is open to applicants and contributes to national development by enhancing employability and promoting lifelong learning.
During a recent visit by ILO envoy Amanda Mejía-Cañadas, Zambia was encouraged to treat this moment as a fresh opportunity to fulfil its conventional obligations.
Mejía-Cañadas commended Zambia’s increased engagement on ILO platforms and described its delegation at the Geneva conference as one of the most collaborative in recent years.
Kalemba July 25, 2025
