Zambia has approved a review of the minimum wage and conditions of service for several worker categories within the Minimum Wages and Conditions of Employment Act.

Cabinet made the decision to approve the issuance of a Statutory Instrument following the proposal submitted during the Tripartite Consultative Labour Council meeting.

Zambian government representatives, trade unions, and employers’ representatives collectively agreed on the need to review the country’s current minimum wage rates during the meeting

The decision for the review was announced after the 18th Cabinet meeting this week, chaired by President Hakainde Hichilema.

Chief government spokesperson Cornelius Mweetwa said the decision to revise Zambia’s minimum wage aims to ensure workers earning the minimum wage benefit from improved conditions of service, recognising the increasing cost of living, Lusaka Times reports.

The Statutory Instrument issuance is a crucial step forward in addressing the wellbeing and financial security of workers in Zambia, the spokesperson added. The revision to the minimum wage aims to better align with the current economic reality, he said.

Furthermore, the Cabinet also gave the green light to the National Pension Scheme Authority (NAPSA) Penalty Waiver Regulations for 2023.

The aim of this initiative is to ease the financial burden on businesses and provide relief to employers in regard to the settlement of their outstanding NAPSA contributions.

In addition, the Cabinet approved the introduction of three key bills to the country’s parliament. These are the Zambia Institute of Procurement and Supply Bill 2023, the Zambia Institute of Architects Bill 2023, and the Zambia Institute of Quantity Surveyors Bill 2023. Each bill aims to invoke positive changes to their professional sectors, the Lusaka Times report goes on to add.