ZASAA Welcomes New Safety Law



New Legislation Expands Worker Protection Across All Sectors, Says ZASAA Patron Helen Mwamba

By Francis Maingaila ♥️ 
Lusaka, Zambia24 – 18 January 2026
The Zambia Safety Awards for Excellence (ZASAA) has welcomed the presidential assent to the Occupational Health and Safety Act No. 16 of 2025, describing it as a decisive step in expanding worker protection across all sectors of the economy.

Helen Mwamba told Zambia24 in a statement that the law, assented to by President Hakainde Hichilema on December 23, 2025, represents a landmark moment in Zambia’s occupational health and safety framework and signals a renewed national commitment to safeguarding workers’ lives and well-being.

She said the enactment of the Act aligns fully with ZASAA’s core mission of promoting safer, healthier, and more sustainable working environments, adding that the law extends protections beyond traditionally regulated sectors, including mining.

Mwamba highlighted the Act’s progressive provisions, including the creation of workplace health and safety committees with equal employer-employee representation, the expansion of occupational health services, and strengthened enforcement mechanisms through authorised officers.

“These measures are critical in promoting shared responsibility, accountability, and compliance with internationally recognised occupational safety and health standards,” Mwamba said, adding that the law encourages a preventive safety culture in all workplaces.

She further said that, as a national platform recognising excellence in workplace safety, ZASAA views the new legislation as a major boost to its mission of building a safer Zambia through proactive leadership, worker participation, and corporate responsibility.

Mwamba noted that ZASAA is ready to collaborate with the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, the Occupational Health and Safety Institute (OHSI), employers, trade unions, and other stakeholders to promote awareness, effective implementation, and best practices under the new law.

She reaffirmed ZASAA’s commitment to celebrating and inspiring excellence in workplace safety, emphasising that sustained collaboration among all stakeholders is essential to achieving a healthier and more productive Zambia.

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