A new Labor Law has been issued by Zambian Government in recent days. On 28 July, employees from human resources department of JCHX Overseas Division participated the training lecture on the new labor law for the purpose of better understanding of and conforming to the local laws, and for enhancing Sino-Zambia Cooperation while protecting rights and interests of both Chinese and Zambian employees.
The lecture was organized by Overseas Chinese Association in Zambia, with the presentations by representatives from local authorities including Chanda Kaziya, officer of Zambian Ministry of Labor and delegates from Copperbelt Province Labor Department. Totally 65 representatives from Chinese-funded enterprises in Kitwe, Copperbelt Province, Zambia listened to the presentations.
Mr. Chanda introduced the major changes to labor law made in 2019 and put out that the new law emphasized the ways in which foreign employees were managed to ensure fair treatment for foreigners working in Zambia. Under the new law, no discrimination shall be inflicted on local employees otherwise severe punishment shall be imposed, amendment has been done to the standards of minimum wages and leave pay as well as the payment made when dismissing happens. The new law prescribes that an Advisory Committee on Labor Relations shall be set up to grant labor officers more rights to inspect and supervise. Additionally, labor officers are authorized to inspect employers without appointment. They have rights to ask employers to suspend for rectification during which employees should be paid if any noncompliance was discovered.
He mentioned that the new law protects the interests of not only Zambian employees but also all foreigners working in Zambia and foreign-funded enterprises. He suggested that all foreign-funded enterprises should hire local professionals for human resources management as they can provide decision-makers with legal and compliant employment advices, which secures employers’ compliance.
Mr. Wang Xin, Deputy Director of Overseas Chinese Association in Zambia and Director of Copperbelt Branch said the association would work with Labor Department to hold similar lectures or trainings, so as to ensure all Chinese enterprises abide by the new law, raise their legislation awareness and operate smoothly in Zambia.
The attendees from JCHX Overseas Division said that the implementation of new Zambian labor law would bring both challenges and opportunities to foreign-funded companies. We should attend relevant trainings for achieving higher judiciary awareness and capacity so as to do better and more for JCHX’s further progress.
