• By virtue of being a member of the UN system and ILO, Zambia is under obligation to promote progressive socio-economic policies.
• These are policies which support the workers while they are in employment.
• There are a lot of legal instruments which have been promulgated both at international level and domestically in Zambia.

Labour Institute of Zambia (LIZ) says Zambia is mandated to promote and implement progressive socio-economic policies which support workers while they are in employment, by virtue of being a member of the United Nations (UN) system and International Labor Organization (ILO).
Responding to a Press query sent by Money FM News, Institute Executive Director Clement Kasonde noted that there are a lot of legal instruments which have been propagated both at international and domestic level aimed at supporting workers’ vulnerability and protect them from any exposure which may result into risk of injury.
Mr. Kasonde said government’s decision to approve increase in monthly payments for injured employees by Workers Compensation Fund Control Board (WCFCB) from K150 to K400 minimum, per month is therefore timely and justified if the adjustment has been considered based on standard actuarial principles which form part of the measures of international principles of good practice within the UN systems and world of work.
He stated that the increment is justified if it is made to respond to government’s transformational agenda of changing the Board into a proactive work injury scheme, because the institution is a social insurance scheme to which employers in the public and private sector, except the State, make payments.
“The recent increase or adjustment in our view may be justified if the same increment has been considered based on international actuarial principles and also aimed at ensuring that it responds to the needs of the workers and their dependents.”
“The upward adjustment is timely and justified if the same is made to respond to the government’s transformational agenda of changing Workers Compensation Fund Control Board into a proactive work injury scheme, re-modelling the investment strategies and to compensate beneficiaries for the increase in the cost of living as Minister of Labour and Social Security alluded to,” Mr. Kasonde stated.
He added that the Institute recognizes the mandate of Workers Compensation Fund Control Board in line with the Workers Compensation Act, No.10 of 1999 to review from time to time based on standard actuarial recommendations amounts payable under the Fund.
Government has approved the recommendation of the Workers Compensation Fund Control Board to increase monthly payments for injured workers from K150 to K400 minimum, per month.
According to Labour Minister Brenda Tambatamba, this indicates that the Fund has a healthy funding level of 325% percent with the value of assets standing at K2.4 billion against liabilities of K743 million.
The WCFCB’s legal responsibility is to compensate workers in respect of accidents suffered and diseases contracted during the course of employment in accordance with the provisions of the Workers Compensation Act, No.10 of 1999 3.
Its role is also to operate as a social security scheme constituted under the Workers’ Compensation Act No. 10 of 1999 of the Laws of Zambia.