News Stories

November 27, 2018

Report By: ZCTU MEDIA TEAM

December 11, 2017

Report By: ZCTU NEWS TEAM

News In Focus

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.

• As a partner labour matter oriented institution that provides governance for different stakeholders affiliated to ZCTU.
• An indispensable partner in industrial relations involving governance, employers and labour.
• An institution that serves for sustained decent work, job creation and justice.
• In line with Government's vision of creating employment and equitable Zambia.

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.

October 09, 2019

Report By: ZCTU MEDIA TEAM

        ZCTU Commemorates World Day for Decent Work

The Zambia Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) has joined the rest of the world to observe the World Day for Decent Work, which falls on 7th October.

The event whose activities begun with a march past were officially launched by Guest of Honour, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, Mr Chanda Kaziya, was held at the ZCTU offices in Lusaka, under the theme ‘investing in care economy for gender equality’.

Mr Kaziya said that it was important for trade union organisations prioritise the continued demand for decent working conditions which supports the struggles of the workers. 

He further issued a warning to employers who do not appreciate the presence of trade unions and regard them as a threat to their existence, thereby victimizing the unions.

“My Government will not tolerate reports of employers victimizing trade unions and their leaders as this leads to infringement on the rights of workers,” said Mr Kaziya.

He has since appealed to workers and their trade unions to use the event as a step towards fulfilling an ambitious and comprehensive agenda for change and economic renewal.

And speaking at the same event, Programme Manager Ms Kathy Short who read a speech on behalf of Friedrich Elbert Stiftung (FES) Resident Director, Helmult elischer, explained that the 2019 theme was especially chosen to support Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 8 ‘Inclusive development and decent work’.

She stated that care was one of the fasted growing sectors in the world including Zambia and for the children and elderly especially.

“Care is estimated to employ some eight million people representing 5 percent of the overall workforce. The vast majority of care workers, 88.2 percent are women who in most cases are marginalised and therefore need trade union representation and support, “said Ms Short.

In concluding her speech, she said that FES is calling upon all concentrated efforts from all stakeholders to work together in supporting workers in the care economy in order to promote gender equality which is a necessity for sustainable development in our country.

And ZCTU Secretary General Mr Cosmas Mukuka emphasized the need for all employers and stakeholders to recognized the World Day for decent work.

He said that the failure of decent work to prevail is saddening because many companies view trade union as enemies to them, hence have continued to ignore their importance.

World day for decent work is a day celebrated on the 7th October where all trade unions in the world stand up for decent work because decent work must be at the centre of government actions to bring back economic growth and build a new global economy that puts people first.