Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2013, published 103rd ILC session (2014)

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

Articles 1 and 2 of the Convention. Active employment policy and poverty reduction strategy. The Committee notes the Government’s report received in September 2013 which includes detailed information in reply to its 2012 direct request. The Government indicates that the Sixth National Development Plan (SNDP) 2011–15 has been aligned with its current policy direction. It adds that the services of the Public Employment Exchange Programme have integrated an automated jobs portal which links jobseekers and employers online. In reply to the previous comments, the Government indicates that under the Fifth National Development Plan (FNDP), the Ministry of Labour and Social Security was in a support role. The Ministry now assumes a more central role under the SNDP and is part of the Economic and Advisory Committee at the Cabinet Office. According to the preliminary results of the 2012 Labour Force Survey (LFS), the economically active population was estimated at 5,386,118, of which 55.8 per cent were in the agriculture sector. Of all employed persons in the country, 88.7 per cent had jobs in the informal economy. In 2012, Zambia’s unemployment rate was measured at 7.9 per cent, with 15.3 per cent in urban areas and 3.1 per cent in rural areas. Urban unemployment was higher for women, with 18.7 per cent, compared to 12.7 per cent for men. The Committee invites the Government to provide in its next report information on the impact of the active labour market measures taken to promote full, productive and freely chosen employment, particularly within the framework of the SNDP. It also invites the Government to provide further information on the Public Employment Exchange Programme and how it links labour market information to employment policy decision-making. It would also welcome information on the impact of the employment promotion activities carried out under the Decent Work Country Programme. Please also continue to include updated statistical data disaggregated by age and sex, and other relevant data concerning the size and distribution of the labour force, the nature and extent of unemployment and underemployment and trends therein.

Sectoral development strategies. The Government indicates that, in order to address infrastructure deficiencies in the agriculture sector, the agriculture budget allocation was increased by 6.1 per cent in 2012, with the bulk of the funding going to the Farmer Input Support Programme and crop purchases for the strategic food reserve. It adds that, in collaboration with the private sector and cooperating partners, it has promoted and strengthened cooperatives and farmer organizations as a vehicle for agricultural development. With respect to the mining sector, and to enhance the contribution of the sector to GDP, the Government will continue to facilitate the opening of new mines, promote small-scale mining and industry development. With respect to the manufacturing sector, the Government reports a 7 per cent increase in employment opportunities during the first six months of 2013. The Government indicates that the aim is to facilitate the upscaling of the sector towards higher value added and upgrade capacity in the provision of related services. The Committee invites the Government to provide information in its next report on the impact of the measures taken to promote productive employment and improve the quantity and quality of employment opportunities in the rural, manufacturing, mining and other growth sectors. Please also provide information on the involvement of representatives of those working in the specific sectors in the development and implementation of employment policies.

Measures for workers infected with HIV. The Government indicates that the National HIV/AIDS/STI/TB Policy is the guiding document in the development of HIV and AIDS workplace policies. It adds that it takes into consideration the effects of HIV and AIDS on employment generation through an approach that encompasses the promotion of preventive, curative and supportive interventions. The Committee invites the Government to continue to provide information on the development of HIV and AIDS workplace policies and their effects on employment generation.

Youth employment. The Government indicates in its report that it will provide further information on this issue in due course. The Committee requests the Government to supply in its next report disaggregated data on young persons obtaining lasting employment following their participation in training programmes.

Education and vocational training. The Government indicates that a new education curriculum has been developed and will be implemented as of January 2014. In order to align education and training with labour market demand for the different economic sectors, the following measures have been taken: reorientation of the secondary school curriculum to incorporate life skills, entrepreneurship education, information and communications technology and other social, economic developments; and the establishment of two career pathways at secondary schools, an academic path and a vocational and technical path. The Committee invites the Government to provide in its next report information on the measures taken, in consultation with the social partners, to enhance the education and training system to ensure that education and training courses satisfy and are aligned with labour market demand for skills in the various economic sectors.

Promotion of micro-, small and medium-sized enterprises. Women’s entrepreneurship. The Government indicates that, following the launch of the Micro-, Small, Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs) Policy in 2010, it has been supporting the sector through a number of initiatives, including the Business Development Services. It adds that more efforts will continue to be made to assist MSMEs in their transition in developing into larger enterprises. With respect to women’s entrepreneurship, the Committee notes that the Citizens Economic Empowerment Commission (CEEC) has developed various programmes for youth and women aimed at addressing the skills gap and knowledge needed to undertake business activities. Measures targeting women include the Women Entrepreneurship Development for Gender Equality (WEDGE) Programme and the Preferential Procurement Programme. The Committee invites the Government to include in its next report information on measures taken to support the establishment of small and medium-sized enterprises and their results in terms of generating employment. It also invites the Government to include information on the impact of measures taken to promote women’s entrepreneurship.