President Hichilema Toasts Labour Day with Call for Workplace Harmony

President Hakainde Hichilema today officiated at the 2026 Labour Day commemorations in Chinsali District, where he called for industrial harmony built on mutual respect and proactive dialogue.

This year’s Labour Day was held under the theme: Securing Zambia’s Future of Work: Protecting Jobs, Skills and Pensions for Decent Work for All.

President Hichilema urged employers to prioritize the welfare of their employees, noting that business success is tied to the productivity of labour. The Head of State emphasized that sustainable economic growth is only possible when employers and employees coexist as active partners. He cautioned against waiting for industrial unrest before addressing workers’ concerns, stressing that grievances must be resolved through structured dialogue rather than confrontation.

He said a stable and predictable work environment is essential for businesses to expand and create the additional jobs the country requires.

On the regional front, President Hichilema called for the harnessing of water resources for commercial farming to stimulate economic growth in Muchinga Province. He pledged continued infrastructure development, including the modernization of Nakonde Airport and the expedited rehabilitation of the Mukushi–Serenje road.

Minister of Labour and Social Security, Brenda Tambatamba, reported significant progress in strengthening labour market harmony.

“Workers and employers are increasingly choosing structured dialogue over confrontation, effectively ending the era where work stoppages were the default response to concerns. By establishing reliable grievance-handling mechanisms and guiding employers toward fair disciplinary procedures, the Ministry is ensuring that workers’ long-term welfare and productivity are protected within a predictable and stable environment,” she said.

Ms. Tambatamba added that the vision for a modern workforce is being driven by a digital transformation agenda and strategic skills development, noting that digital systems have improved service delivery turnaround times.

Zambia Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) President Blake Mulala called for an end to casualization by converting long-serving temporary and contract workers into secure, pensionable employment.

While acknowledging the many jobs created in the public sector under the UPND administration, Mr. Mulala stressed the need for the informal economy to be formalized to allow effective participation in national development.

Zambia Federation of Employers (ZFE) President Myra Ngoma said securing Zambia’s future of work depends on protecting jobs through sustainable enterprise growth, safeguarding skills through human capital investment, and ensuring stable pension systems.

Ms. Ngoma said there is no job security without productive businesses and called for an environment that supports private sector expansion and rural infrastructure development. She highlighted the need for the country to adapt to global forces such as artificial intelligence, digitalization, and climate transitions, which are already transforming traditional business models and production systems.

She commended government efforts to reform laws governing NAPSA, LASF, and PSPS to ensure workers’ well-being after employment. Mrs. Ngoma also praised the industrial harmony in the country, attributing it to improved approaches by the labour movement and effective mediation by the Ministry of labour and Social Security.