Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2019, published 109th ILC session (2021)

Minimum Wage Fixing Convention, 1970 (No. 131) - Zambia (Ratification: 1972)

Article 4(2) of the Convention. Consultation with employers’ and workers’ organizations in the operation of the minimum wage fixing machinery. For many years, the Committee has been referring to the need to revise section 3(1) of the Minimum Wages and Conditions of Employment Act (MWA) which only provided for consultations with trade unions in the process of determining the minimum wage. The Committee notes with satisfaction that with the adoption of the Employment Code Act 2019, which repealed the MWA, minimum wage rates may be fixed by statutory order after consultation with the tripartite Labour Advisory Committee (section 106 of the new Act). The Labour Advisory Committee has the mandate to inquire into wages and conditions of employment in order to make recommendations and to review minimum wage rates at least every two years (section 101 of the new Act).

The Committee is raising other matters on the application of ratified wages Conventions in a request addressed directly to the Government.