Workers’ Pension Rights Take Centre Stage

As ZCTU urges defined benefits and fair representation on pension boards

By Francis Maingaila

Lusaka, Zambia — January 15, 2026 — Workers’ pension rights were the focal point of discussions at the first 2026 Tripartite Consultative Labour Council (TCLC) meeting, as government, employers, and labour leaders debated reforms aimed at strengthening retirement benefits and expanding coverage to the informal sector, Labour Minister Brenda Tambatamba said.

Tambatamba, who chairs the TCLC, said the meeting reaffirmed Zambia’s social contract between government, employers, and workers. 

“This council provides a critical platform for shaping labour reforms that protect dignity at work,” she said. 

She emphasized the importance of robust labour institutions, noting that weak structures undermine effective worker protection and the implementation of reforms.

Pension reform was a key agenda item, with government reviewing legislation covering the National Pension Scheme Authority (NAPSA), Public Service Pension Fund (PSPF), Local Authorities Superannuation Fund (LASF), and Pensions and Insurance Authority (PIA). 

Tambatamba said four bills are currently under consideration: the National Pension Scheme Bill, Public Service Pension Fund Bill, Local Authorities Superannuation Fund Bill, and Pension Scheme Regulation Bill. 

“These reforms respond to demographic changes, shifts in the labour market, and longstanding concerns from workers and employers,” she explained. 

“They directly affect contributors, retirees, and their families, making tripartite dialogue essential for fairness and transparency.”

The minister highlighted the challenges inherited by the current administration in 2021, including delayed payments, governance weaknesses, sustainability concerns, and limited coverage. 

“We have made tangible progress, such as reducing waiting periods for pension disbursements, allowing partial withdrawals, and waiving penalties for employers,” she said. 

Tambatamba also confirmed that the council discussed Zambia’s potential ratification of International Labour Organisation (ILO) Convention 102, which sets minimum global standards for social security and covers areas including medical care, unemployment, and old-age benefits. 

Expanding coverage for informal sector workers remains a priority, with initiatives aimed at increasing registration, raising awareness, and offering flexible contribution models. 

She praised the ZCTU and ZFE for advocating for traders and marketeers, stating they should be formally recognised as workers.

“These reforms are closely linked to President Hakainde Hichilema’s results-based governance agenda, ensuring that progress in all sectors is measurable and accountable,” Tambatamba added.

ILO Country Director Wellington Chibebe described Zambia’s pension reforms and the potential ratification of Convention 102 as essential for protecting citizens from old-age poverty. 

“Pensions provide income security for older persons and vulnerable groups, and they influence key decisions in the labour market,” Chibebe said. 

He commended the TCLC for holding all quarterly meetings in 2025, calling it evidence of strong cooperation between social partners. 

He stressed that reforms must ensure adequate benefits and wider coverage, particularly for informal sector workers often excluded from social protection schemes.

 

The ILO encourages Zambia to adopt multi-pillar pension systems that combine social pensions, mandatory contributions, and voluntary savings. 

“A reliable and predictable pension system not only stabilizes households but also boosts confidence in the labour market,” Chibebe said. 

He welcomed Zambia’s ongoing reforms to harmonize benefits, enhance flexibility, and improve voluntary pension administration, noting alignment with international standards. 

The ILO has offered to support the ratification process, conduct legal reviews, provide capacity-building workshops, develop a reform roadmap, and facilitate nationwide consultations. 

“These matters affect all of us,” Chibebe said, urging stakeholders to prioritize vulnerable groups while preparing for retirement security.

ZCTU President Blake Mulala cautioned that pension reforms could weaken retirement security if workers’ interests are overlooked.

“Pensions determine whether people can live with dignity or face poverty after retirement,” he said. 

While supporting reforms that improve efficiency and transparency, Mulala stressed that workers’ rights and benefits must remain protected. 

He highlighted disparities between pensions in the mainstream public service and parastatals, noting that employees in equivalent positions often receive unequal benefits. 

He advocated for a defined benefit or hybrid pension system that guarantees minimum pensions linked to years of service and final salary. 

On governance, he said workers remain underrepresented on pension boards and proposed that at least two representatives from major trade unions sit on each board, while government oversight should be limited to policy guidance. Mulala added, 

“The minimum pension should be raised to at least 50 percent of the national average earnings and automatically adjusted for inflation. Verification systems must also accommodate rural pensioners and persons with disabilities.” 

He called for an independent Pension Appeals Tribunal to replace ministerial appeals and transitional provisions to protect accrued rights. 

Mulala welcomed Zambia’s ratification of ILO Convention 190 on violence and harassment at work, praised rural labour inspections, and urged stronger protection for Zambian workers abroad, including truck drivers in the Democratic Republic of Congo. 

He also called on the government to ratify Convention 102 to strengthen social security and fully integrate labour’s recommendations.

ZFE President Myra Ngoma urged businesses to adjust product prices in line with reduced operational costs. 

“High prices continue to strain workers and complicate wage negotiations,” she said.

 Ngoma praised trade unions for maintaining industrial harmony and encouraged them to recruit un-unionised workers, emphasizing that strong unions contribute to stable labour relations. 

She added that reduced business costs should translate into lower prices for consumers, supporting the Ministry of Commerce’s stance against excessive profits. 

Regarding pensions, Ngoma said worker welfare must extend beyond employment to reliable retirement benefits, and informal sector inclusion should coincide with policies that create formal employment opportunities, particularly for young people. 

She welcomed improved electricity supply, attributing it to higher water levels and government interventions, and said ongoing reforms are enhancing the business environment.

 Ngoma reaffirmed ZFE’s commitment to collaborating with government and unions to promote inclusive economic growth.

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