SINAZONGWE, 6th April, 2024…
The Minister of Labour and Social Security, Brenda Tambatamba calls for decent work of human capital in the labour market for economic development.
Ms.Tambatamba said companies should adhere to facets of Labour requirements of workers rights at places of work.
She said this when conducting an intergrated labour inspection at Maamba Collieries Limited in Sinazongwe District.
Ms.Tambatamba noted that economic transformation and job creation is at the core of this Government mandate to maximise productivity as espoused in the 8th National Development Plan.
She said that it is only through productivity and excellence that the country will achieve an increased Gross Domestic Product and anticipated development.
The Minister urged the mining company to take deliberate and proactive affirmative action towards employing women to reduce the gender disparity at work places.
She further advised the company to introduce systems that will create capacity building and employment of local citizens within the district.
And providing worker education to the workers of the company, Ms.Tambatamba urged them to be productive so as to contribute positively if their conditions of services have to be improved.
She emphased the need for them to follow grievance procedures that are outlined by the company and by utilising the presences of their leaders.
And Senior Human Resource and Administration Manager, Mr.Bwali Ndau said the visit by the Ministry of Labour is an eye opener to creating systems that will take into consideration the human capital and skills development of its employees.
Mr.Ndau explained that the mining company is equal employer of qualified human resource especially women.
He added that the company has created a sensitization programme on career guidance in various Schools focusing on encouraging girls to become engineers and scientists.
Commenting in Union activities, Mr.Ndau noted that through the Mines Union of Zambia, workers have been participating freely in Union activities including bargaining of thier conditions of service.
He acknowledged the guidance that the Southern Province Labour Office has been providing on employer- employee relationship.
The Minister of Labour and Social Security is on a seven( 7) days working visit in Southern Province to conduct integrated inspections in various companies targeting all sectors.
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