International Labour Day
Zambia Commemorates International Labour Day
International Labor Day is celebrated yearly as an official holiday all over the world to celebrate the accomplishments of workers. This year’s theme was “Securing Decent Work for Sustainable Social –Economic Development”
1 May 2017
Officiating at the event Republican President Edgar Chagwa Lungu said Government intends to create a minimum of 200,000 jobs annually with serious commitment to promotion of decent work. The President said this when he addressed hundreds of workers who gathered at the Freedom statue to commemorate the international Labour Day. He stated that Government is determined to actualize decent work for all by implementing policies, strategies and programmes that would foster sustainable development.
President Lungu said Government attaches great importance to promotion and realization of decent wok without which no sustainable development can occur. He further added that Zambia is determined to realize Sustainable Development Goal number eight which focuses on decent work and economic growth.
And International labour Organization(ILO) Director ,Mr. Alexio Musindo said, the ILO World Employment and Social Outlook 2017 estimated that global unemployment rate was expected to rise modestly from 5.7 to 5.8 per cent in 2017 representing an increase of 3.4 million in the number of jobless people.
Mr Musindo added that the number of unemployed persons globally in 2017 forecast stood at just over 201 million with an additional rise of 2.7 million expected in 2018 as the pace of labour force growth outstrips job creation. He re-echoed the ILO Director General, Mr Guys Ryder who also noted with concern that the figures are worrisome and that more effort is needed by all governments, employers’ and workers organisations to reduce the number of unemployed, and generate enough jobs.
ILO takes cognisance of Labour Day, to celebrate and appreciate the workers whose remarkable efforts are undeniably outstanding to contributing to efforts thereby improving Zambia’s social and economic development.
The Director recognized and appreciated the tripartite partnership between the ILO and the government, workers’ and employers’ organizations. He said the partnership had profoundly contributed to unlocking respective potential in working, collectively, towards making decent work a reality for all Zambians.
He noted some of the key achievements with the tripartite partners which, included Supporting the drafting of National Employment Policy and support to key strategic employment plans such as the Youth Employment Action Plan, Supporting the launch of the new Sustainable Housing Guidelines for Zambia and the construction of 74 low and middle income demonstration houses built using green building principles, practices, services, products and technologies with the support of private and public sector partners in building construction to mention but a few.
Meanwhile, Zambia Federations of Employers (ZFE) president Wesley Chishimba said provision of decent work should be promoted as it guarantees dignity for workers. Mr Chishimba said ZFE and its members remain committed to ensuring that decent jobs are created for Zambians.
And the Zambia Congress of Trade Unions Secretary General Cosmas Mukuka also reiterated that Zambians need decent jobs for them to work hard to better the national’s economy. Mr Mukuka said to promote sustainable development and growth in Zambia there was need for workers to be fairly paid and to be on full time employment.
He also added that the government needed to articulate and strategize on ways of how to turn the country’s economy around to benefit workers and the people of Zambia. He called upon government to expedite the conclusion of salary negotiation for the sake of industrial harmony and increased productivity.
President Lungu said Government attaches great importance to promotion and realization of decent wok without which no sustainable development can occur. He further added that Zambia is determined to realize Sustainable Development Goal number eight which focuses on decent work and economic growth.
And International labour Organization(ILO) Director ,Mr. Alexio Musindo said, the ILO World Employment and Social Outlook 2017 estimated that global unemployment rate was expected to rise modestly from 5.7 to 5.8 per cent in 2017 representing an increase of 3.4 million in the number of jobless people.
Mr Musindo added that the number of unemployed persons globally in 2017 forecast stood at just over 201 million with an additional rise of 2.7 million expected in 2018 as the pace of labour force growth outstrips job creation. He re-echoed the ILO Director General, Mr Guys Ryder who also noted with concern that the figures are worrisome and that more effort is needed by all governments, employers’ and workers organisations to reduce the number of unemployed, and generate enough jobs.
ILO takes cognisance of Labour Day, to celebrate and appreciate the workers whose remarkable efforts are undeniably outstanding to contributing to efforts thereby improving Zambia’s social and economic development.
« Our appreciation would be incomplete if I fail to recognise the cardinal role employers play in clearing opportunities for decent work and sustainable enterprises » Mr Musindo said.
The Director recognized and appreciated the tripartite partnership between the ILO and the government, workers’ and employers’ organizations. He said the partnership had profoundly contributed to unlocking respective potential in working, collectively, towards making decent work a reality for all Zambians.
He noted some of the key achievements with the tripartite partners which, included Supporting the drafting of National Employment Policy and support to key strategic employment plans such as the Youth Employment Action Plan, Supporting the launch of the new Sustainable Housing Guidelines for Zambia and the construction of 74 low and middle income demonstration houses built using green building principles, practices, services, products and technologies with the support of private and public sector partners in building construction to mention but a few.
Meanwhile, Zambia Federations of Employers (ZFE) president Wesley Chishimba said provision of decent work should be promoted as it guarantees dignity for workers. Mr Chishimba said ZFE and its members remain committed to ensuring that decent jobs are created for Zambians.
And the Zambia Congress of Trade Unions Secretary General Cosmas Mukuka also reiterated that Zambians need decent jobs for them to work hard to better the national’s economy. Mr Mukuka said to promote sustainable development and growth in Zambia there was need for workers to be fairly paid and to be on full time employment.
He also added that the government needed to articulate and strategize on ways of how to turn the country’s economy around to benefit workers and the people of Zambia. He called upon government to expedite the conclusion of salary negotiation for the sake of industrial harmony and increased productivity.