Ministry of Labour and Social Security Zambia

Ministry of Labour and Social Security Zambia The Ministry of Labour and Social Security (MLSS) is Government institution charged with the responsibility of regulating activities in the labour sector

The Ministry of Labour and Social Security (MLSS) is a government institution charged with the responsibility of formulating and administering policies as well as regulating activities in the Labour and Employment sector in order to enhance the sectors contribution to sustainable social and economic development for the benefit of the people of Zambia. Following the revocation of the Government Gazette number 457 of 2004, the Mandate of the Ministry is outlined in the government Gazette number 183 of 23rd March 2012 and Gazette Notice Number 561 of 2012

The Gazette Notice Number 183 specifically spells out the portfolio functions for the Ministry as follows:

Employment Policy;
Factories;
Industrial and Labour relations;
Labour Policy;
Monitoring Productivity;
Occupational Asessment Services;
Social Safety Net; and
Social Security Policy. The Ministry is also responsible for the following statutory bodies and institutions:-

National Pensions Scheme Authority;
Public Service Pensions Fund; and
Workers' Compensation Fund Control Board. website: www.mlss.gov.zm

Workers, Public Encouraged to Take Keen Interest in Pension ReformsGovernment has called for stronger public understandi...
02/09/2026

Workers, Public Encouraged to Take Keen Interest in Pension Reforms

Government has called for stronger public understanding and support for the country’s pension reforms, emphasizing that the changes are aimed at giving workers greater financial security and a more dignified retirement.

Speaking during a sensitization meeting of Ministry of Labour and Social Security staff on the newly enacted National Pension Scheme Act no. 72 of 2026, Permanent Secretary, Zechariah Luhanga, said pension reforms are critical to improving retirement income security.

Mr Luhanga in his emphasis on the importance of understanding pension reforms, encouraged staff to plan for retirement in good time.

He said the reforms are intended to strengthen the pension system by enhancing pension benefits, improving income replacement rates and establishing mechanisms that will provide workers with greater financial security when they retire.

“Pension planning should not be something that workers only think about when they are approaching retirement. It is a responsibility that requires early planning, informed decision making and consistent participation throughout one’s working life,” Mr Luhanga said.

He stressed that the successful implementation of pension reforms requires not only policy changes, but also public understanding.

The Permanent Secretary urged Ministry staff to take an active role in educating workers and members of the public about the importance of pension contributions and early retirement planning.

“As Ministry staff, you serve as ambassadors of these reforms. It is therefore important that you fully appreciate the rationale, content and expected outcomes of the reforms so that you can effectively support their implementation and provide accurate and reliable information to stakeholders and members of the public,” Mr Luhanga said.

He implored members of staff to become advocates for social security, noting that informed employees are better positioned to communicate the benefits of the changes.

“I therefore urge each member of staff to leave this meeting not only better informed, but also fully committed to supporting the successful implementation of these reforms. Let us be champions of change, advocates for social security, and ambassadors of the Ministry’s vision of ensuring a dignified and secure retirement for all workers. Together, we can transform these reforms into meaningful improvements in the lives of current and future pensioners,”said Mr Luhanga.

Economic Growth Must Put a Job in the Hands of a Graduate – President HichilemaPresident Hakainde Hichilema has challeng...
02/09/2026

Economic Growth Must Put a Job in the Hands of a Graduate – President Hichilema

President Hakainde Hichilema has challenged Zambians to embrace a culture of hard work, production and responsibility, saying economic development is not solely a Government agenda but a shared mission, hence everyone must build a future as Government creates a foundation for a favorable business climate.

Delivering his inaugural speech after being sworn into office for his second tenure by Chief Justice Mumba Malila, upon emerging victorious in the August 13, 2026 General Election, President Hichilema said economic growth cannot only be measured in figures and statistics, but must be felt in the lives of ordinary Zambians, particularly young people completing their education and entering the labour market.

He said economic growth must ultimately translate into jobs and better opportunities for citizens.

“Economic growth must mean a job to a graduate,” President Hichilema said.

He said Government would continue to scale up investment in education, and skills development to equip citizens with the knowledge, skills and opportunities needed to participate meaningfully in the economy.

"Through the Grow Zambia Agenda, we will more than double to size of our economy, to create more jobs, business opportunities and treasury revenue,”President Hichilema said.

The Head of State said the country must also strengthen social protection for those who genuinely need support, while at the same time encouraging citizens to build livelihoods that can sustain them in future.

He called for a fundamental change in mindset, urging Zambians to move away from the culture of expecting handouts and instead embrace hard work, saving, investment and production.

The President said the mentality of consuming today without thinking about tomorrow must be challenged if Zambia is to build a stronger and more prosperous future.

“We must think of tomorrow. We cannot consume today and forget about tomorrow,” he emphasized.

President Hichilema said Zambia must become a country that produces as much as it consumes, urging citizens to take advantage of economic opportunities and contribute to job creation through entrepreneurship, investment and productive work.

“Let us not be a nation of consumers only, but producers as well,” he said.

The President made an undertaking to continue sharpening the Public Service to ensure it delivers quality, efficient and responsive services to citizens.

The President stressed that service delivery is more than simply reporting for work between 08:00 and 17:00 hours, but should be about deliverables.

He urged public officers to put the interests of the nation first, unlike personal interest.

“Every public officer must put national interest first, and personal interest will be taken care of,” President Hichilema said.

He challenged public officers to work harder and smarter, saying Zambia has the human capacity and resources to create jobs and grow the economy if citizens and institutions focus on productivity.

President Hichilema said the future Zambia wants will not be built through consumption alone, but through a productive population that creates, invests, innovates and works.

He added that the responsibility for economic transformation therefore extends beyond Government as it requires every citizen, worker, entrepreneur and public officer to play their part.

The significance of pension reforms under NAPSA 👇
31/08/2026

The significance of pension reforms under NAPSA 👇

Why Reforms are important under the Public Service Pension Fund (PSPF)👇
31/08/2026

Why Reforms are important under the Public Service Pension Fund (PSPF)👇

31/08/2026

Join us live : Ministry of Labour and Social Security Staff sensitization meeting on pension reforms.

30/08/2026

Government has declared Tuesday September 1, 2026 a public holiday to allow citizens to witness the swearing-in ceremony of President Hakainde Hichilema, following his re-election in the just ended August 13, 2026 general election.🗳️

PUBLIC NOTICETEMPORARY INTERRUPTION OF CALL CENTRE SERVICESThe Ministry of Labour and Social Security wishes to inform m...
28/08/2026

PUBLIC NOTICE

TEMPORARY INTERRUPTION OF CALL CENTRE SERVICES

The Ministry of Labour and Social Security wishes to inform members of the public that the Call Centre is currently unavailable due to a fault affecting the connectivity cable.

Members of the public who wish to lodge complaints, make enquiries or access services are advised to use the ZamPortal and Citizens Support Services Portal, or visit the nearest Labour Office for assistance.

The Ministry regrets any inconvenience caused and would like to assure the public that efforts are underway to restore Call Centre services.

Members of the public will be informed immediately once the fault has been resolved and normal services restored.

Issued By:
Public Relations Unit
Ministry of Labour and Social Security

PS Luhanga Urges Staff to Embrace Digitalisation for Wider Service DeliveryMinistry of Labour and Social Security Perman...
22/08/2026

PS Luhanga Urges Staff to Embrace Digitalisation for Wider Service Delivery

Ministry of Labour and Social Security Permanent Secretary, Zechariah Luhanga has urged staff to embrace digitalisation to expand access to labour services and improve the Ministry’s response to citizens across the country.

Mr. Luhanga said digital platforms such as the Government Services Bus and the Citizens Support Services Portal, would enable the Ministry to reach citizens in areas where it does not have physical offices, allowing labour services to be accessed beyond the Ministry’s existing network of offices.

The Permanent Secretary was speaking when he addressed staff who underwent training in resolving cases submitted through the Citizen Support Services Portal and the Zambia Employment and Labour Market Information System (ZELMIS) on the Government Services Bus.

Mr. Luhanga said the Ministry is not wide spread, as it is only present in 72 districts out of the 116 districts in the country, making technology an important tool for extending its reach and ensuring that citizens are not disadvantaged simply because they live in areas without a physical Labour Office.

“Through digitalisation, we can cover parts of the country where we do not have a physical presence. Even if we do not necessarily have a Labour Officer physically stationed in every district, we can still provide services to the citizens,” he said.

He challenged staff to make effective use of the platforms by responding to cases professionally, promptly and accurately, saying the quality of service provided through digital platforms would be critical in changing public perceptions of the Ministry.

Mr. Luhanga said staff should help change the negative narrative sometimes associated with the Ministry by ensuring that citizens who seek assistance receive professional and satisfactory responses, regardless of whether they access services physically or digitally.

He said the ZELMIS would further strengthen the Ministry’s ability to manage labour market information, track cases among others to enable the institution respond more effectively to the needs of workers and employers.

The Permanent Secretary said digitalisation should not be viewed as the introduction of new technology, but as an opportunity to make Government services more accessible, efficient and responsive.

Mr. Luhanga encouraged the officers to apply the knowledge gained by improving the experience of citizens and employers seeking labour services across Zambia.

President Hichilema Urges Citizens to Embrace Hard Work as Government Expands Economic OpportunitiesPresident Hakainde H...
19/08/2026

President Hichilema Urges Citizens to Embrace Hard Work as Government Expands Economic Opportunities

President Hakainde Hichilema has urged Zambians to embrace hard work and make use of opportunities being created through skills development, investment and economic expansion, as the country’s future depends on a productive citizenry.

Addressing the Nation on August 18,2026 after he was declared President-elect by the Electoral Commission of Zambia in the just ended August 13,2026 election, President Hichilema said Government’s focus is to grow the economy and create an environment where more jobs and business opportunities can emerge, while generating the revenue needed to support vulnerable members of society, including young people, retirees and persons with disabilities.

He said economic growth remains critical to addressing the cost of living, stressing that Zambia cannot continue to be a nation of consumers without equally becoming a nation of producers.

“We must work hard, working hard is key, in every situation. I want to urge citizens to choose hard work over laziness, to be willing to take opportunities that come, to earn your livelihood at work. We can’t be a country of consumers over and over we must be a country of producers. That will buy food for the families and the communities that will not be able to farm. There are markets for those who produce,” the Head of State said.

He emphasized that skills training was opening doors for people who may not have had an opportunity to attain tertiary education, with training opportunities in areas such as carpentry, plumbing, bricklaying and other trades.

President Hichilema said every form of honest work is significant and contributes to the economy.

“Whatever work you do is of value. Kusiyana siyana kwanchito but Kwacha ni imozi,” he said, emphasising that regardless of one’s occupation, every worker contributes to economic growth.

He challenged workers in both the public and private sectors to take their responsibilities seriously and focus on deliverables.

“Public sector workers let’s earn our right to work in the public sector. Work is not about hanging around from 08:00 hours to 17:00 hours. What have we delivered on the working day?” he asked, calling for a cultural shift towards greater productivity and efficiency.

“There’s no working day, everyday is a working day because work has to be done. That’s the cultural shift we would like to see in this country,” President Hichilema emphasized.

The Head of State particularly urged teachers, lecturers and health workers to recognise the impact of their work on people’s lives. He cautioned teachers against failing learners for their own failure to deliver and health workers against being distracted by social media when patients are in need of medical care.

“Teachers work hard, lecturers work hard don’t be the one that makes that kid fail an exam because you did not do the work. I was talking no nurses that day at UTH, do not go to the ward and start playing with the phone when the patient is screaming in pain. That is a no go area as well. You get an opportunity for a job take it seriously work hard serve the patients. Even health personnel get sick, today you are the care giver, tomorrow you are the patient. Not when a patient is in pain but you are on social media,”President Hichilema warned.

He said public service should be about serving citizens rather than pursuing personal interests, urging those entrusted with public responsibility to put the national interest first.

The Head of State indicated that Government’s responsibility is to continue creating opportunities while protecting and growing national resources so that the economy can sustain existing jobs and create new ones.

The President further acknowledged the confidence placed in his administration through the 2026 elections, thanking those who voted for the United Party for National Development and those who chose otherwise.

“To those who voted for us, thank you for your confidence in us. To those who did not vote for us, thank you for your participation in the 2026 election. We respect that decision,” he said.

President Hichilema said his administration would continue working to earn the trust of all Zambians, particularly young people, by delivering on its responsibilities and creating opportunities for them to build better lives.

He called on elected leaders to approach public office with humility, courage and a commitment to serving the people.

“Public service is to serve the people, not your personal interest,” President Hichilema said.

He urged Zambians to remain united and peaceful while working together to build a productive economy capable of creating opportunities for present and future generations.

The Ministry of Labour and Social Security extends its heartfelt congratulations to Mr. Hakainde Hichilema, President of...
18/08/2026

The Ministry of Labour and Social Security extends its heartfelt congratulations to Mr. Hakainde Hichilema, President of the Republic of Zambia, on his electoral victory.

This victory is significant to further advance the national development agenda and priorities outlined in the UPND 2026 Manifesto, particularly Pillar number one, which seeks to double the size of country’s economy, while ensuring that economic growth translates into creating decent work, skills development, protecting workers’ rights and strengthening social security, to improved livelihoods for workers and their families.

The Ministry will continue supporting Government’s development agenda by promoting a productive, safe and inclusive labour market where workers are protected, employers are supported to thrive, and every Zambian has an opportunity to participate meaningfully in growing the economy.

Congratulations Mr. President May this second mandate usher in renewed opportunities, greater prosperity and improved social and economic wellbeing for the people of Zambia.

Address

Government Complex, Independence Avenue, Kamwala, P. O. BOX 32186
Lusaka
10101

Opening Hours

Monday 08:00 - 17:00
Tuesday 08:00 - 17:00
Wednesday 08:00 - 17:00
Thursday 08:00 - 17:00
Friday 08:00 - 17:00

Telephone

+2609211225522

Website

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