By Sharon Siame
The Ministry of Labour and Social Security has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Zambia Micro and Small Traders Foundation Cooperative Society Limited and the Zambia National Marketeers Credit Association –ZANAMACA- to implement the national strategy for extending social security coverage to the informal economy.
The partnership seeks to widen access to social security protection for workers in the informal sector, while also promoting awareness and compliance.
Speaking at the Tripartite Consultative Labour Council meeting in Lusaka, Labour and Social Security Minister BRENDA TAMBATAMBA commended the organisations for their active role and leadership in advancing the welfare of traders and marketeers.
Ms. TAMBATAMBA said the Government is determined to ensure that the strategy translates from policy into practical and measurable benefits for workers in the informal economy.
ZANAMACA President MUPILA KAMEYA thanked the Government for recognising both the association and the Zambia Micro and Small Traders Foundation Cooperative Society Limited as key partners in the initiative.
Addressing the Council, Ms. TAMBATAMBA also noted the need to build strong labour and industrial relations institutions in order to achieve the Decent Work agenda.
International Labour Organization –ILO- Country Office Director for Zambia and Malawi, WELLINGTON CHIBEBE, said the meeting was focused on pension reforms, proposals to ratify social security minimum standards, and ILO Convention 102, all of which are vital for income security during retirement.
Meanwhile, Zambia Federation of Employers President MYRA NGOMA appealed for harmonious relations between employers and workers across all sectors and levels.
Zambia Congress of Trade Unions President BLAKE MULALA welcomed the proposed pension reforms, saying they would improve sustainability, transparency and efficiency within the labour sector.
