Zambia marks World Day for Safety and Health at Work with call to protect mental Wellbeing

Kitwe, Zambia (ILO News) - Zambia today joined the rest of the world in commemorating the World Day for Safety and Health at Work 2026 in Kitwe, with a strong call to prioritise both physical and mental wellbeing in the workplace.

Held under the theme “Good Psychosocial Working Environments: A Pathway to Thriving Workers and Strong Organizations,” the event brought together government, workers, employers, and the International Labour Organization (ILO), all delivering a common message: workplace safety must protect both the body and the mind.

Officiating at the event, Minister of Labour and Social Security, Mrs. Brenda Tambatamba, reaffirmed Government’s commitment to strengthening occupational safety and health through progressive legislation, enforcement, and ongoing reforms.

She highlighted the recently enacted Occupational Health and Safety Act of 2025, noting that it, together with ongoing labour law reviews, will explicitly address psychosocial risks such as work-related stress and mental health challenges.

“Unsafe work is costly—not only in lives lost, but also in productivity and national development,” she said, adding that a safe and healthy workforce is the backbone of a strong economy.

ILO Country Office Director for Zambia and Malawi, Mr. Wellington Chibebe, stressed that psychosocial risks must be treated with the same seriousness as traditional workplace hazards.

“Stress, fatigue, harassment, poor communication, and job insecurity undermine mental health and increase the risk of accidents, especially in high-risk sectors such as mining,” Mr. Chibebe said.

He emphasised that mental wellbeing is not an optional benefit but a fundamental right at work.

Representing workers, Dr. Evans Chungu of the Zambia Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) reminded the nation that workers are human beings, not machines.

“Behind every production target is a human life,” he said, describing the commemoration as a moment to honour workers who have lost their lives or suffered due to unsafe working conditions in sectors such as mining, construction, transport, and manufacturing.

Dr. Chungu warned that issues such as stress, bullying, intimidation, job insecurity, and toxic workplace cultures are silently affecting workers on a daily basis.

He stressed that calls for safer and more humane workplaces are not demands for special treatment, but a pursuit of justice and dignity.

On behalf of employers, the Zambia Federation of Employers (ZFE) reaffirmed its commitment to promoting safe, healthy, and productive workplaces.

Delivering the employers’ message, Copperbelt Regional Vice-President Mr. Justine Chiwama said occupational safety and health is both a moral obligation and a business necessity.

“Healthy workers are more productive, and safe workplaces are essential for sustainable enterprises,” he said.

The commemoration in Kitwe highlighted growing recognition that workplace safety goes beyond preventing physical injuries and must also address the psychological and social conditions that affect workers’ wellbeing.

As Zambia continues to strengthen its labour systems, stakeholders agreed that ensuring safe, healthy, and supportive work environments will be critical to building resilient organisations and a thriving workforce.