Reported by Samuel Ernest.
Date: 25th February, 2025.
Lusaka, Zambia.
The Minister of Labour and Social Security, Honourable Brenda Tambatamba, MP, has reaffirmed the government’s steadfast commitment to fostering employment opportunities and strengthening workforce development. Speaking at the dissemination seminar for the 2022 Revised Census of Population and Housing Summary and the 2022/2023 Employment and Earnings Inquiry (EEI) Reports, she underscored the vital role of evidence-based policymaking in shaping Zambia’s labour market.
Delivering her keynote address, Minister Tambatamba emphasized the Employment and Earnings Inquiry (EEI) as a key analytical tool for assessing employment trends, wage patterns, and workforce expansion in the formal sector.
“These reports provide us with the necessary insights to craft informed policies and targeted interventions, ensuring a labour market that is dynamic, inclusive, and responsive to national development priorities,” she stated.
Minister Tambatamba highlighted several New Dawn Government-led initiatives aimed at enhancing employment opportunities, particularly for young people and small-scale entrepreneurs. These programs include:
- Employment creation through the Constituency Development Fund (CDF)
- Support for entrepreneurs through Citizens’ Economic Empowerment Commission (CEEC) projnternship, Apprenticeship, and Graduate Programs under the Ministry of Youth, Sports, and Art
- Cash-for-Work and the Zambia National Service Youth Program
“These initiatives are not just about job creation—they are about equipping young people with the skills, capital, and entrepreneurial mindset required to drive sustainable economic growth,” the Minister remarked.
Recognizing the evolving demands of the global job market, the government is prioritizing skills development and education through:
- Expanded access to bursaries and scholarships to support young people in acquiring relevant qualifications.
- Work-based learning reforms aimed at bridging the gap between academic education and industry requirements. “By equipping our youth with the right skills and experience, we are ensuring they remain adaptable, competitive, and ready to contribute to both the local and global economy,” she noted.
The Minister commended the Zambia Statistics Agency (ZAMSTATS) for its role in tracking labour market trends and providing accurate, timely data through:
1.Quarterly Employment and Earnings Inquiry
2.Quarterly Labour Force Surveys
3.Decennial Population Censuses
“Reliable data is crucial for benchmarking progress, monitoring unemployment rates, and developing policies that address real employment challenges,” she said.
Minister Tambatamba called upon employers, educational institutions, development partners, and civil society to work together in implementing sustainable employment solutions.
“While progress has been made, more work remains. We must collaborate to build a proactive, innovative, and inclusive labour market that aligns with global best practices and supports Zambia’s long-term economic ambitions” she stated.
With a strong commitment to inclusive employment expansion, skills development, and economic empowerment, the government continues to lay the foundation for a resilient, dynamic, and thriving workforce in Zambia.
The Agency
