VISION AND MISSION
Over the last 50 years, Zambia Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) has worked with different unions to organise and unite all workers into a strong,
unified, dynamic and self-sustaining labour movement as a basis for achieving positive economic, political and social justice for all and good governance
in the interest of the nation.
The vision of the Zambia Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) is founded on its firm belief that trade unions are indispensable partners in the industrial relations
involving government, employers and labour and that the process of development culminates into equitable distribution of wealth among stakeholders.
In October 2016, ZCTU commemorates and cerebrated 50 years of continuous fight for the achievement of development through productive decent work,
sustainable job creation and social justice.
ZCTU GOVERNANCE STRUCTURE
To put things in proper prospective, it is important that we briefly examine the organisational structure of the ZCTU.
The highest policy making body is the Quadrennial Conference of the ZCTU. This is convened once every four years and all affiliated unions are invited
with proportional representation according to size of union.
Next to the Quadrennial Conference is the General Council which meets at least twice annually. Representation by unions is also proportional according
to size. Then there is the Executive Council which comprises of all General Secretaries of National Unions affiliated to the Zambia Congress of Trade Unions,
all members of the Executive Board and members of the Women's Committee.
Zambia Congress of Trade Unions was established in 1965 through an act of Parliament, until 1993, the ZCTU was the sole umbrella organisation of trade
Unions in the country. Currently, the ZCTU represents thirty three (33) affiliated national unions, operating in various sectors of the economy. Since its
formation, the crucial role of Zambia Congress of Trade Unions has been that of representing the views and interests of the workers and vulnerable
groups of the society.
The labour movement has through particular turns and phases of the country's economic and political transformations, played a major role in bringing
about change in various ways. It has played key roles as an industrial arm of political parties in the fight for political independence era, the ZCTU continues
to play a significant role representing and protecting the interest of workers.
Most importantly, the ZCTU made important sacrifices during the one party state, whose circumstances compelled the labour movement to fight for plural
policies campaigning for rights to decent work for all. Employment should not be looked at as a privilege but a right for all citizens.
Zambia Congress of Trade Unions seeks to: