Government says it is committed to upholding the rights of both workers and employers and creating industrial harmony, which is a cornerstone of the country’s economic resilience and national productivity. ‎Muchinga Province Deputy Permanent Secretary Brian Sichande underscored…

Government says it is committed to upholding the rights of both workers and employers and creating industrial harmony, which is a cornerstone of the country’s economic resilience and national productivity.

‎Muchinga Province Deputy Permanent Secretary Brian Sichande underscored that a clear, equitable, and transparent mechanism for resolving workplace disputes is critical to protecting both workers and employers.

‎The Deputy Permanent Secretary made these remarks during a stakeholder engagement meeting on the Workers’ Compensation Tribunal and Draft Rules held at Elegant Triumph Lodge in Chinsali today.

‎Mr Sichande said industrial harmony cannot exist without accessible justice systems, especially for vulnerable workers in remote areas who remain unaware of their rights.

‎“Our duty is not only to adjudicate disputes but also to sensitize the public on the mandate of the Workers’ Compensation Tribunal,” he said.

‎Mr Sichande highlighted that the draft rules being reviewed are designed to streamline dispute resolution mechanisms, eliminate unnecessary bureaucratic delays, and ensure justice is administered swiftly and impartially.

‎He added that delays in resolving grievances, particularly for workers who have suffered workplace injuries or unfair compensation, add an unbearable burden to already difficult circumstances.

‎Mr Sichande has since called for the draft rules review process to be comprehensive and to reflect the realities in workplaces across the country.

‎And speaking earlier, Workers Compensation Tribunal Chairperson Maria Drass Neves stated that the vision for the tribunal is to build an industrial relations landscape where disputes are resolved swiftly, transparently, and fairly.

‎Ms Neves said the stakeholder engagement is a testament to a shared commitment to fostering a fair, balanced, and harmonious labour environment in Zambia.

‎” We want to ensure that every worker, union leader, and employer understands their rights, the remedies available to them, and how the Tribunal serves as a vital pillar in national labor relations as a unique alternative dispute resolution platform.

The engagement meeting brought together workers’ representatives, employers, government officials, and other stakeholders to input into the proposed rules that will govern the operations of the Workers’ Compensation Tribunal.