Country Rating: 5

  • No guarantee of rights

  • Countries with the rating of 5 are the worst countries in the world to work in. While the legislation may spell out certain rights, workers have effectively no access to these rights and are therefore exposed to autocratic regimes and unfair labour practices.

Workers are dismissed for striking: On 14 October 2013, about 3,000 workers employed at Shoprite Holdings went on a strike over pay and working conditions. The National Union of Commercial and Industrial Workers was informed by management that all the workers who had gone on strike were dismissed. The company stated that workers would have to re-apply for their jobs.

Anti-union discrimination: The Kitwe City Council has engaged in disciplinary action against trade union leaders and members who had participated in a prolonged work stoppage over delayed salaries. Two trade union leaders from the Zambia United Local Authority Workers Union (ZULAWU) who were linked to the strike action, were suspended. Furthermore, ZULAWU Kitwe branch deputy secretary Stephen Kamponge and Joshua Phiri were transferred to different positions in order to prevent future union activities.

Violation of collective agreement: The Zambia National Teachers Union (ZNUT) stated that the government is not implementing a concluded collective agreement which stipulates improved working conditions. While the agreement should have been implemented in June 2013, it is still not clear when it will be effective. The union has threatened to take strike action if the government continues to disregard the agreement.

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