Social Policy (Basic Aims and Standards) Convention, 1962 (No. 117) - Zambia (Ratification: 1964)

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2023, published 112nd ILC session (2024)

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Parts I and II of the Convention. Improvement of standards of living. The Committee notes the adoption of the Eight Nacional Development Plan (8NDP) 2022-26, which revises the Seventh National Development Plan (7NDP) 2017-21 and focuses on “socio-economic transformation for improved livelihood.” The 8NDP introduces a set of strategic interventions anchored on economic transformation and job creation, human and social development, environmental sustainability, and good governance environment. The strategic development area on human and social envisages the adoption of measures with a view to improving education and skills development; health, food and nutrition; water supply and sanitation; as well as to reducing poverty, vulnerability and inequalities. The Committee further notes the detailed information provided by the Government regarding the impact of the measures undertaken to improve the living conditions of the population in both urban and rural areas. The Government indicates that measures have been taken to improve access to health care, including the recruitment of 27,620 health workers, which represents 49 per cent of the workforce required to provide quality health services. The Government adds that 563 health posts, 92 mini hospitals, 21 district hospitals and 2 specialized hospitals have been operationalized and five health centres have been upgraded into hospitals (in Chilenje, Matero, Kanyama, Chawama and Chipata). The Government reports that there are 2 425 199 members to the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), which provides access to the services of the National Health Insurance Management Authority (NHIMA) public and private accredited facilities across the country. However, the Government indicates that the registration level is still low and that measures are being taken in collaboration with the ILO to extend the coverage of the NHIS to persons that have no contributory capacity. The Government also refers the adoption of measures to reduce maternal, child and infant mortality in the framework of the Zambia Integrated Family Planning –Costed Implementation Plan and the Maternal Health Programme. The Government reports that despite improvements, the mortality rate remains high (707 in 2021). Furthermore, the Committee notes that, according to the 8NDP report, the prevalence of poverty levels in the country is progressively reducing in part by the expansion of social protection programmes. In this regard, the Government refers to the provision of several non-contributory transfers to households in vulnerable situations (through in cash or in-kind transfers, fee waivers and subsidies) with a view to reducing poverty, such as the Public Welfare Assistance Scheme (PWAS), the Social Cash Transfer (SCT) Programme, and the Emergency Cash Transfer. Lastly, the Committee notes the information provided by the Government on the measures taken to reduce the incidence of HIV and AIDS through enhancing awareness and integration of prevention interventions. The Government indicates that anti-retroviral medication is free for all persons living in the country. The Government reports that HIV prevalence has been declining over the years from 14.3 per cent in 2007 to an estimated 11 per cent in 2021. In view of the above information, the Committee notes with interest that the 8NDP has the necessary multidimensional vision to secure coordinated policy interventions enabling to reach the objective of raising the standards of living, such as those referred to above in the area of education, social protection, high quality public services. The Committee requests the Government to supply more information on measures taken to promote the productive capacity and the improvement of standards of living of agricultural producers (article 4, paras (a) to (e) of the Convention) and secure the maintenance of minimum standards of living, based on official inquiries into living conditions, conducted after consultation with the representative organizations of employers and workers. The Committee also requests the Government to continue to provide detailed updated information, including statistical data disaggregated by age, sex and region, relating to the impact of theEight Nacional Development Plan (8NDP)2022-26, and other plans and programmes adopted with a view to promoting inclusive economic development, improving the national standard of living and reducing poverty (Article 2 of the Convention). It further invites the Government to continue to provide information on the impact of measures taken to reduce the incidence of HIV and AIDS, and to increase access to antiretroviral medications and prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV.

Part III. Migrant workers. The Committee notes the adoption in July 2022 of the National Migration Policy, which envisages the adoption of measures to achieve “a well-managed migration for sustainable national development”. The Policy identifies and prioritizes a set of thematic areas, such as labour migration and education, diaspora engagement, irregular migration, forced displacement and internal migration. Furthermore, the Government indicates the launching in 2019 of the first Zambia Country Migration Profile, which is intended to help inform migration governance in the country, including for evidence-based policy, planning and decision-making. The Government adds that is working in the development of a National Migration Strategy. The Committee notes from the National Migration Policy that challenges related to migration in Zambia include irregular migration, forced displacement, inadequate disaggregated migration data, untapped development potential of labor migration and remittances. Further, some of the challenges experienced by different categories of migrants, particularly women, youth and children include sexual exploitation, human trafficking, gender-based violence, limited opportunities for portability of social security benefits and unfair labour practices such as long working hours, meagre earnings below the minimum wage. In this respect, the National Migration Policy includes among its objectives, strengthening mechanisms and governance frameworks to maximize the development potential of labour migration, effectively managing international migration for socio-economic development, and enhancing migration data management. The Committee also notes that the Government reiterates that various laws and regulation are non-discriminatory and provide equal protection to citizens and migrant workers who are formally registered in the country. The Committee requests the Government to provide detailed updated information on the impact of the policies and programmes adopted on improving the terms and conditions of employment of both internal and international migrants, including those adopted in the framework of the National Migration Policy. It also requests the Government to provide specific information on the reasonable steps taken: (i) to ensure that their living and working conditions are healthy (Article 6); and (ii) to encourage the transfer of part of the workers’ wages and savings from the area of labour utilization to the area of labour supply (Article 7).

Part VI. Education and vocational training. The Committee notes the information provided by the Government on the measures taken to increase access of the population to education and achieving universal primary education, including introducing a free education policy for primary and secondary schools. The Government reports that, as December 2019, there were 9,282 primary schools, 1,288 secondary schools and 25 colleges for education. In 2020, there were 4.3 million of students (2,130,643 were men and 2,174,583 were women). The Government adds that 52 new schools were finalized, and 82 secondary schools are being constructed in seven provinces targeting communities with high levels of poverty. In addition, 30,496 teachers have been recruited during the reporting period. In addition, financial Support was provided through the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) to children from families in extreme poverty living in remote areas to attend boarding schools. Moreover, the Government indicates that, in the framework of the implementation of the Girls’ Education and Women’s Empowerment and Livelihoods Project (GEWEL) in 39 districts, 28,964 girls from extremely poor household received support to remain school. The Committee notes that, according to the 8NDP report, as at 2020 net primary enrolment rates stood at 81.8 per cent as compared to 87.9 per cent in 2017. Improvements have also been registered in the proportion of girls in school at primary level. In 2020, for every 100 boys enrolled in primary school, 103 girls were enrolled, while at secondary level, for every 100 boys enrolled, 94 girls were enrolled.

The Committee refers to its comments on the application of the Employment Policy Convention, 1964 (No. 122), where it notes the set of measures undertaken by the Government to increase access to the Technical Education, Vocational and Entrepreneurship Training (TEVET) system as well as the challenges remain with regard to access and participation in TEVET education. The Government reports that the number of TEVET registered training institutions increased from 293 in 2016 to 308 in 2021. Nonetheless, according to the TEVET quality assurance system, in 2021 only 7.8 per cent of the training institutions were classified as Grade 1, which refer to those institutions with well-established management systems, qualified and experienced management staff, trainers accredited with TEVETA in line with the TEVET Act, appropriate and equipped workshops. With regard to university education, the Government reports that the Higher Education Loans and Scholarships Boards provided student loans to 22,200 students (12,405 men and 10,095 women) to study in public universities and 1,244 students received scholarship to study abroad. The Committee notes, however, that according to the 8NDP report, while more universities have been established, there is a weak regulatory framework which has led to the compromise in the quality of university education and a lack of adequate qualitied training personnel at tertiary level. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide updated detailed information, including statistical data, disaggregated by age, sex and region, on the impact of the measures taken to improve education and skills development, as part of social policy in line with Articles 15 and 16 of the Convention.

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

Parts I and II of the Convention. Improvement of standards of living. In response to the Committee’s 2013 direct request, the Government reports on the impact of the revised Sixth National Development Plan 2013–16 (R-SNDP), which revised the Sixth National Development Plan 2011–15. The R-SNDP focusses on “people-centred growth and development” and, as was the case with previous plans, it aims to achieve the objectives set out in the National Long-Term Vision 2030 of making Zambia a “prosperous middle-income country by 2030”. The R-SNDP focuses on public capital investments that favour rural development and job creation, to achieve inclusive growth. The Committee notes that the main investment areas under the R-SNDP are skills development, science and technology, agriculture, livestock and fisheries, energy and infrastructure development, particularly transport infrastructure, and the enhancement of human development-related sectors, such as water and sanitation, education and health. The Government further reports on the adoption of the Seventh National Development Plan (2017–21) (7NDP), which departs from sector-based planning and takes an integrated, multi-sectoral development approach, calling for interventions to be taken simultaneously through a coordinated approach. The key elements of the 7NDP are: diversify and make economic growth inclusive; reduce poverty and vulnerability; reduce developmental inequalities; enhance human development; and create a conducive governance environment for a diversified and inclusive economy. Pursuant to the 7NDP, the Government undertakes to accelerate economic diversification and growth. According to Chapter 3 of the 7NDP, this will be achieved through: diversified and export-oriented agriculture and mining sectors; a diversified tourism sector; improved energy production and distribution; an improved transport system and infrastructure; enhanced information, communication and technology; enhanced decent job opportunities; and enhanced research and development. The Committee notes with interest the information provided by the Government on progress achieved during the reporting period. The percentage of the population living below the poverty line declined from 68 per cent in 2006 to 54 per cent in 2015; however, significant disparities between urban and rural areas persisted. In rural areas, the percentage of the population living in poverty fell only marginally, from 80.3 per cent in 2006 to 76.6 per cent in 2015, whereas in urban areas the percentage of people living in poverty declined significantly, from 53 per cent in 2006 to 23.4 per cent in 2015. The Committee notes that, according to the R-SNDP, the majority of Zambia’s population lives in rural areas, and poverty continues to be more of a rural phenomenon than an urban one. The Government reports that in 2014, more than 80 per cent of those employed in Zambia were in the informal economy. Moreover, the majority of this group were classified as working poor, characterized by low levels of income, limited or no access to social security or to other core labour standards. In addition, a significant number of the working population was self-employed, primarily in subsistence agriculture or in small-scale and often fragile businesses. With respect to water and sanitation, in urban areas, the percentage of households with access to improved sources of safe drinking water increased from 58 per cent in 2006 to 67.7 percent in 2015. In rural areas, access to safe water sources increased from 42 per cent in 2006 to 51.6 per cent in 2015. As for access to electricity, the overall access rate rose from 22 per cent in 2010 to 31 percent in 2015. There were significant disparities, however, with access to electricity increasing in urban areas from 53 per cent to 67.3 per cent, compared to a decrease in rural areas, where access rates fell 5 per cent to 4.4 per cent between 2010 and 2015. The Committee further notes that, according to the R-SNDP, there are huge disparities between urban and rural areas in terms of service delivery, which undermines the capacity of the rural population to contribute to growth. The Government reports that, during the reporting period, it implemented a number of social protection measures targeting extremely poor and vulnerable households, to improve their well-being and livelihoods. These included the social cash transfer scheme, which reached a total of 242,000 households in 78 districts and reduced the percentage of households having only one meal a day from 56.6 per cent in 2011 to 35.2 per cent in 2012. Other measures included the school feeding programme, which increased its support to 850,000 learners from 310,451. The Committee welcomes the information provided by the Government concerning the decline in maternal mortality from 591 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2007 to 398 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2013–14. The Government nevertheless indicates that levels of malnutrition have hardly changed, with stunting, wasting and underweight registering 40 per cent, six per cent and 15 per cent in 2013–14. The Government reports that it has continued to scale up provision of high impact services, with a particular focus on maternal and child health. It has taken a number of measures to improve access to health, including a project to construct 650 health posts in 2014, with 335 superstructures completed countrywide, of which 275 fully functional facilities were handed over to the Ministry of Health. The Committee notes the Government’s indication that, despite the advancements made, mortality rates remain high. The Government attributes this situation to, among other factors, poor health-seeking behaviour, poor water and sanitation, poor nutrition and inadequate provision of health services. Moreover, the country had a high burden of disease, primarily characterized by high prevalence and impact of communicable diseases such as HIV, tuberculosis and malaria. In this respect, the Government reported that the national HIV prevalence rate declined only slightly, from 14.3 per cent in 2007 to 13.3 per cent in 2013–14. The number of people with advanced HIV receiving antiretroviral treatment increased, but fell short of the 95 per cent target. The Committee requests the Government to provide updated detailed information on the nature and outcome of specific measures taken to improve living conditions in both rural and urban areas, including measures to promote inclusive growth and create opportunities for decent employment and reduce poverty, as envisaged in the Seventh National Development Plan. The Committee further requests the Government to transmit updated detailed information, including statistical data disaggregated by age, sex and region, relating to the impact of the Seventh National Development Plan (2017–21) and other plans and programmes adopted with a view to promoting inclusive economic development , improving the national standard of living and reducing poverty (Article 2 of the Convention). The Committee also invites the Government to continue to provide information on the impact of measures taken to reduce the incidence of HIV and AIDS, and to increase access to antiretroviral medications and prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV.

Part III. Migrant workers. The Government reports that there is currently no national policy concerning migrant workers and data on migration is limited. The Committee notes that the Government has therefore requested the assistance of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to strengthen its capacity to collect, analyse and use migration data and ultimately prepare a Migration Profile for improved planning and policymaking in this area. It adds that IOM Zambia has been providing assistance to this end since January 2017. The Government indicates that migrant workers, who are formally registered in the country are protected on an equal basis with Zambian nationals by various national laws and regulations, which are not discriminatory. The Government also refers to the recommendations of the IOM Briefing Note on HIV and Labour Migration which envisage the inclusion of migrant workers in all national and sectoral plans, programmes and strategies to address HIV and AIDS and health issues. The Committee invites the Government to provide updates on the progress of the implementations of those recommendations, as well as more detailed information on the impact of the policies and programmes adopted on improving the terms and conditions of employment of both internal and international migrants. They will include the description of the reasonable steps taken: (i) to ensure that their living and working conditions are healthy (Article 6); and (ii) to encourage the transfer of part of the workers’ wages and savings from the area of labour utilization to the area of labour supply (Article 7).

Part VI. Education and vocational training. In respect to general education, the Committee notes that, between 2005 and 2015, 14,235 classrooms were constructed at the primary education level, 4,690 at the secondary education level, and 39,079 teachers were recruited at an average annual total of 5,000 teachers. With regard to the Technical Education, Vocational and Entrepreneurship Training (TEVET) system, the Committee also notes the detailed information provided by the Government. Achievements during the reporting period included an increase in TEVET enrolments from 32,911 in 2010 to 37,798 in 2015. New trades training institutes were constructed to increase access and are expected to contribute to meeting the target of 50,000 enrolments under the 7NDP. To improve the quality and relevance of training, the Government partnered with the African Development Bank and the Chinese Government to upgrade lecturer qualifications, rehabilitate infrastructure, review curricula and equip 31 TEVET institutions. The Government also refers to the construction of Kapasa Makasa University, and the establishment of three additional public universities, namely Chalimbana, Kwame Nkrumah and Mukuba Universities. The Government indicates that total student enrolment in the public universities increased from 7,933 in 2008 to 59,272 in 2015. It also indicates the major impact of the new curriculum on education, vocational training and apprenticeship, which has led to an increase in new skills needed in the labour market. The Committee requests the Government to provide updated detailed information, including statistical data, disaggregated by age, sex and region, on the impact of its new education curriculum on education, vocational training and apprenticeship, as part of social policy in line with Articles 15 and 16 of the Convention.

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

Parts I and II of the Convention. Improvement of standards of living. The Committee notes the Government’s report received in September 2013 which includes information in reply to its 2012 direct request. The Government indicates that the Sixth National Development Plan (SNDP) for the period 2011–15 contains programmes that have been identified as critical to achieve the overall objectives of the plan. The SNDP focuses on policies, strategies and programmes that will contribute significantly to addressing the challenges of realizing broad-based pro-poor growth, employment creation and human development, as outlined in the Vision 2030 and the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Results achieved can be evidenced through developmental projects, such as infrastructure, rural and human development. In the case of rural development, focus has been placed on stimulating agriculture productivity and promoting agro-business. Access to health services, especially in rural areas, has been enhanced due to the establishment of mobile clinics strategically posted throughout the country. In reply to the previous comments, the Government indicates that, while extreme poverty has decreased from 58 per cent in 1991 to 42.3 per cent in 2010, Zambia is still far from reaching the MDG of 29 per cent by 2015. The depth of poverty in urban areas has diminished, nonetheless, the rural provinces of Luapula, Western, Eastern and Northern remain very distant from their goals. The Committee notes that special attention to these growing disparities is placed high on the Government’s policy agenda with special emphasis on infrastructure development and job creation. Moreover, the Government indicates that HIV incidence has stabilized in Zambia, yet the absolute number of new HIV infections is increasing due to the growing population. The Government further states that the steady increase in the number of people accessing Voluntary Counselling and Testing (VCT), from 511,266 in 2008 to 1,772,043 in 2011, is encouraging. Zambia is likely to achieve the 2015 target for the HIV prevalence rate, as it fell to 14.3 per cent in 2007. Although the national MDG target has been met, this masks great difference in HIV prevalence rates amongst provinces, such as Lusaka, Copperbelt and Central, which are all above 15.6 per cent. The Committee invites the Government to provide in its next report updated information on the impact of the SNDP and other plans and programmes adopted with regard to economic development policy, improving the national standard of living and poverty reduction (Article 2 of the Convention). It also invites the Government to continue to provide information on the effect of social policy on the level of poverty, HIV/AIDS incidence and their respective increase or decline.

Part III. Migrant workers. The Government indicates that policies and programmes adopted, such as the SNDP, are all inclusive and non-discriminatory. As such, the benefits are enjoyed by all workers, both local and foreign. The Committee invites the Government to provide more detailed information on the impact of the policies and programmes adopted on improving the terms and conditions of employment of migrant workers (Articles 6–9 and 14(3) of the Convention).

Part VI. Education and training. The Government previously indicated that there had been a steady growth in total enrolments in the Technical Education, Vocational and Entrepreneurship Training (TEVET) system. Nevertheless, the services offered by the TEVET system still did not satisfy the high demand for those services. The Government indicates in its report that it will provide further information on this issue in due course. The Committee refers to its comments on the application of the Employment Policy Convention, 1964 (No. 122), in which it noted that a new education curriculum will be implemented in January 2014. It invites the Government to provide in its next report on Convention No. 117 information on the impact of its new education curriculum on education, vocational training and apprenticeship, as part of a social policy in line with Articles 15 and 16 of the Convention.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2012, published 102nd ILC session (2013)

Parts I and II of the Convention. Improvement of standards of living. The Committee notes the Government’s report received in September 2011, which includes some information in relation to its 2010 direct request. The Government indicates that, as a result of the implementation of the Fifth National Development Plan (FNDP) for the period 2006–10, economic growth improved, averaging 6.1 per cent compared to 4.8 per cent prior to the adoption of the FNDP. The Government also reports on the improvement in maternity and infant mortality rates as well as in education enrolment rates. According to the last demographic and health survey undertaken, adult HIV/AIDS prevalence decreased slowly between 2001 and 2007 from 16 to 14.3 per cent. In its comments on the application of the Employment Policy Convention, 1964 (No. 122), the Committee noted that the Government initiated the process of formulating a Sixth National Development Plan (SNDP), 2011–15. The Committee invites the Government to provide in its next report on Convention No. 117 information on the impact of the SNDP and other eventual plans and programmes adopted with regard to economic development policy, improving the national standard of living and poverty reduction (Article 2 of the Convention). The Committee hopes that the Government will include information from an updated living conditions monitoring survey (LCMS) to reflect the effect of current social policy on the level of poverty, HIV/AIDS and their respective increase or decline.

Part III. Migrant workers. In reply to the Committee’s comments, the Government indicates that sections 37–40 of the Employment Act, Chapter 268 of the Laws of Zambia, apply to migrant workers and provide for the core conditions of service available to those workers. These sections regulate contracts of foreign service by providing that contracts stipulated within Zambia which are to be performed, wholly or in part, outside Zambia are subject to an attestation procedure similar to that of local written contracts provided for by section 30 of the Employment Act. The Government indicates that minimum wages and conditions of service provided for by Chapter 276 of the Laws of Zambia also apply to migrant workers. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the impact of the policies and programmes adopted, such as the SNDP, on improving the terms and conditions of employment of migrant workers (Articles 6–9 and 14(3) of the Convention).

Part VI. Education and training. The Government indicates that there has been a steady growth in total enrolments in the Technical Education, Vocational and Entrepreneurship Training (TEVET) system from 16,550 in 2001 to 32,911 in 2010. In order to respond to the increasing demand for TEVET services, in the 2009–10 period, the TEVET system intensified the promotion of various modalities of learning which include the learnership scheme, workplace-based training and open and distance training. Nevertheless, the services offered by the TEVET system still do not satisfy the high demand for those services. The Committee invites the Government to continue to provide information on the impact of education, vocational training and apprenticeship as part of a social policy in line with Articles 15 and 16 of the Convention.

Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2010, published 100th ILC session (2011)

Parts I and II of the Convention. Improvement of standards of living. The Committee notes the Government’s report received in August 2009 in reply to its 2008 observation. The Government indicates efforts to improve standards of living and poverty reduction through the Fifth National Development Plan (FNDP) from 2006 to 2010, in order to promote good governance and public safety. The Committee notes the impact of HIV/AIDS on poverty in the country, one of the sub-Saharan African countries worst affected by the pandemic. The Committee invites the Government to provide in its next report further information on the impact of the National Development Plan with regard to economic development policy, improving the national standard of living and poverty reduction (Article 2 of the Convention). The Committee hopes that the Government will include information from an updated living conditions monitoring survey (LCMS) to reflect the effect of current social policy on the level of poverty, HIV/AIDS and their respective increase or decline.

Part III. Migrant workers. In reply to the Committee’s previous request, the Government indicates that standards are ensured by the Zambian Constitution which guarantees rights for all persons, including migrants, to adequate medical and health facilities, as well as the right to life and non-discrimination. The Government indicates that the Employment Act, which is currently under review, does not contain any provisions that discriminate against migrant workers. It further states support of migrant workers, through the FNDP, which envisages that development incentives will aid in the voluntary migration of workers from the informal to the formal sector. The Committee invites the Government to provide in its next report further information on the terms and conditions of employment of migrant workers within the national territory and abroad (Articles 6–9 and 14(3)).

Part VI. Education and training. The Government indicates initiatives to promote education and training through the Technical Education and Vocational Entrepreneurship Training Authority (TEVETA). It further indicates a need for increased capacity among educational institutions and distance learning efforts to meet this unmet demand. The Committee invites the Government to provide further information on the impact of education, vocational training and apprenticeship as part of a social policy in line with Articles 15 and 16 of the Convention.

Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2008, published 98th ILC session (2009)

Parts I and II of the Convention. Improvement of standards of living. The Committee notes the reply provided by the Government to its 2006 observation in a report received in March 2008. The Government indicates that it has established a poverty reduction strategy through which it has been combating poverty and improving the living standards of the people. It further indicates its hope that when the Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP) is implemented, it will significantly reduce poverty. In addition to the PRSP, the Government highlights a number of other initiatives introduced, such as training and job searching techniques for persons who have been dismissed which will assist them to gain access to employment opportunities. The HIV/AIDS pandemic threatens the country’s capacity-building efforts due to its indiscriminate effects on all productive age groups. Exploitation of the country’s natural resources in a sustainable manner would provide greater potential for economic growth and poverty reduction. The Committee recalls that, in the conclusions adopted at the 11th ILO African Regional Meeting (Addis Ababa, April 2007), the tripartite delegations reached consensus for an assessment of the impact on the generation and maintenance of decent work opportunities in development strategies aimed at poverty reduction and to adopt national targets for the creation of sufficient decent jobs to absorb new labour market entrants and reduce, by half, the numbers of working poor. The Committee refers to its 2008 observation on the application of the Employment Policy Convention, 1964 (No. 122), and hopes that in its next report on the application of Convention No. 117, the Government will include an up to date assessment of the manner in which it ensures that the “improvement in standards of living” has been regarded as the “principal objective in the planning of economic development” (Article 2 of Convention No. 117) as well as information on the results achieved in combating poverty.

Part III. Migrant workers. In reply to the Committee’s previous requests, the Government indicates that, in 2000, the migrant workers made up 3.6 per cent of the total population in Zambia. Zambian health workers chose to go to other countries in Africa to find work opportunities more easily. More recently, they have also been choosing to go to some OECD countries, which has affected the health sector more than any other. The Government indicates that it has included issues of labour migration as a key area for intervention in the National Employment and Labour Market Policy in the Fifth National Development Plan with the aim of reducing the brain drain and effectively utilizing skills of migrant workers and skilled refugees. The Government recognizes the need to streamline issues pertaining to the management of migration even though this matter currently falls under the responsibility of both the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of Labour and Social Security. The Government’s management of the new Labour Market Information System will help to identify gaps in skills and to introduce appropriate policy measures. The Committee requests the Government to indicate the measures taken to ensure that the terms and conditions of employment of migrant workers within the national territory and abroad take account of their family needs and the increase in the cost of living, and facilitate the transfer of wages and savings (Articles 6 to 9 and 14, paragraph 3). The Committee draws the Government’s attention to the fact that it is difficult to prevent abusive practices in relation to migrant workers and emphasizes the urgency of affording effective protection to this category of particularly vulnerable workers. The Government may also wish to refer to the ILO Multilateral Framework on Labour Migration of March 2006, designed to improve the effectiveness of policies in respect of migration for employment.

Part VI. Education and training. In reply to the Committee’s previous requests, the Government highlights several programmes that were set up to bring education and training requirements in line with the needs of the industry. The Government indicates that it reformed the process for the development of training curricula, and it used the Systematic Curriculum and Instruction Development format which used a competence- and outcome-based approach to education and training so that learners are appropriately prepared for the challenges of the world of work. It is also designing Training Quality Assurance Protocols with a view to enhancing the provision of quality training by training providers. The Ministry of Science and Technology and the Ministry of Labour and Social Security are jointly reviewing the Apprenticeship Act with a view to addressing training, both in the formal and informal sectors. Finally, the Government highlights that the Tevet qualification framework, a forerunner for national qualification networks, has been developed. The Committee requests the Government to provide further information on the impact of the measures adopted for the progressive development of education, vocational training and apprenticeship, and the manner in which the teaching of new production techniques has been organized as part of a social policy which gives effect to the provisions of Articles 15 and 16 of the Convention.

Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2006, published 96th ILC session (2007)

1. Parts I and II of the Convention. Improvement of standards of living. The Committee notes that the report received in May 2006 substantially reproduces the information already contained in previous reports. It notes that Zambia has established a poverty reduction strategy and is also obliged to implement an active employment policy within the meaning of the Employment Policy Convention, 1964 (No. 122). The Committee refers to its observation of 2006 on Convention No. 122 and requests the Government to send an up to date appreciation of the manner in which it ensures that the “improvement in standards of living” has been regarded as the “principal objective in the planning of economic development” (Article 2 of Convention No. 117) and to provide information on the results achieved in combating poverty. The Committee reminds the Government that, in accordance with the Convention, in order to ascertain minimum standards of living for independent producers and wage earners, “account shall be taken of such essential family needs of the workers as food and its nutritive value, housing, clothing, medical care and education” (Article 5, paragraph 2).

2. Part III. Migrant workers. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on migration movements in the country and on the measures taken to give effect to Articles 6 and 7 of the Convention.

3. Part VI. Education and training. Please indicate the measures that have been taken for the progressive development of education, vocational training and apprenticeship, and the manner in which the teaching of new production techniques has been organized as part of the social policy giving effect to the Convention (Articles 15 and 16).

[The Government is asked to reply in detail to the present comments in 2007.]