The Zambia Association for General Workers (ZAGW) […]

The Zambia Association for General Workers (ZAGW) has criticized the Ministry of Labour for what it describes as a failure to address persistent allegations of worker mistreatment by foreign-owned construction firms.

 In an interview with Zambian Business Times, ZAGW Chief Administrator Samson Mwale revealed that a significant number of workers in the construction sector lack formal contracts, leaving them exposed to low wages, inadequate safety gear, and poor working conditions. Despite repeated interventions by the association, Mwale said the problem remains largely unresolved.

“We have seen several challenges affecting general workers in construction; many contractors are foreign nationals, and most fail to provide employment contracts. As a result, workers are paid far below the minimum wage and lack proper workplace protections,” Mwale stated.

 He further argued that the absence of decisive government action has emboldened some foreign employers to neglect their obligations under Zambian labour laws.

“There is a glaring lack of compliance from employers who feel the Ministry of Labour is not doing enough. While we have engaged with the ministry and resolved a few cases, the majority of issues persist,” Mwale added.

Mwale recounted that when pressed on the issue, the Commission of Labour responded by saying the government cannot be everywhere, a reply he described as inadequate and indicative of a lack of commitment to workers’ welfare.

“We have seen reluctance from the authorities. That is not enough, especially as we are supposed to be working together to protect workers. We urge the government to carry out more inspections at foreign-owned construction sites, as many workers remain underpaid, without sick leave, or days off,” he emphasized.

With the welfare of construction workers hanging in the balance, the association warns that continued government reluctance to enforce labour standards raises serious questions about worker protection and the direction of the industry.

Article Karen Ngulube