Workforce Africa, Zambia
Unlocking Zambia's Potential: Workforce Africa partners with businesses to build a skilled, diverse, and future-ready workforce, driving sustainable growth and prosperity for all.
Interesting Economic Facts About Zambia
Zambia, a landlocked country in southern Africa, is known for its rich natural resources and vibrant culture. With a population of approximately 19 million people, Zambia's capital city, Lusaka, serves as the political and economic center of the nation. The currency used is the Zambian kwacha (ZMW), and the national language is English, which is used for official and business purposes. Additionally, Zambia recognizes several major local languages, including Bemba, Nyanja, Tonga, and Lozi, reflecting the country's diverse ethnic composition.
Zambia's economy is primarily driven by several key sectors. Mining plays a crucial role, as the country is one of the world's largest producers of copper, which significantly contributes to export earnings. Additionally, agriculture employs over half of the population and includes major crops such as maize, sugarcane, and tobacco.
The tourism sector is also growing, with attractions like Victoria Falls and numerous national parks promoting wildlife conservation and adventure tourism. Furthermore, Zambia has been recognized for its business-friendly environment, ranking high in ease of doing business within Africa, which encourages foreign investment and economic development initiatives.
Employment Laws
Employement Contracts in Zambia
Zambia recognises both oral and written contracts of employment. In terms of section 18 of the Employment Code, all employers must keep a record of the particulars of an oral contract of employment in the form set out in Schedule 1 of the Employment Code. In terms of section 22 of the Employment Code, where an employer engages an employee for a period of six (6) months or more or for a number of working days equivalent to six (6) months or more within a year, the contract of employment must be in writing.
Probationary contracts may be concluded for a period of three (3) months to access the suitability of an employee. A probationary contract may be extended for a further period not exceeding three (3) months.
Working Hours
An employee may not work more than forty-eight (48) hours in a week and is entitled to a one-hour meal break and either two 10-minute health breaks or one 20-minute health break per day.
Any employee who works in excess of forty-eight (48) hours in a week shall be paid at one and a half times their hourly rate and those who work on Sundays and public holidays should be paid at least double their hourly rate.
Leave Policies in Zambia
Annual Leave:An employee, other than a temporary or casual employee, who remains in continuous employment with the same employer for a period of twelve (12) consecutive months shall be granted annual leave at the rate of two (2) days per month, per annum. An employee shall be entitled to full remuneration on all public holidays
Sick Leave: an employee is entitled to sick leave upon producing a medical certificate from a health care practitioner, where the employee is unable to perform their normal duties due to illness or injury. Employees on short-term contracts, are entitled to twenty-six (26) days' sick leave at full pay and a further twenty-six (26) days' sick leave at half pay. For employees on long-term contracts, an employee is entitled to full pay during the first three (3) months and thereafter, half pay for a further three (3) months in any twelve (12) month cycle.
Maternity Leave: Female employees are entitled to a minimum of fourteen (14) weeks maternity leave of which, six (6) weeks must be taken immediately after the delivery. In the event of multiple births, a female employee is entitled to a further four (4) weeks maternity leave.
Paternity Leave: Male employees are entitled to paternity leave of not less than five (5) continuous days if the employee is the father of the child and has submitted to the employer a birth record of the child. Paternity leave must be taken within seven (7) days of the birth of a child
Public Holidays
Payroll Taxes and Statutory Deduction in Zambia
Termination and Probation in Zambia
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