Result achieved

31.12.2017 RAF904 Public

Linked projects

ZMB/14/01/RBS - Support to enhancing and extending Social Protection for all, with a focus on vulnerable groups
- Zambia - Creation and extension of Social Protection floors for target populations, including extension of coverage to the informal economy in Zambia (country programme 2016-17)
ZMB/15/04/CEF - United Nations Joint Programme to support Zambia's National Social Protection Policy
RAF/13/04/IRL - Building National Floors of Social Protection in Southern Africa

Outcome summary

A maternity protection policy paper was adopted in March 2017 by a tripartite committee

Outcome achieved

(a) The Technical Working Group on Maternity Protection, led by the Ministry of Labour and Social Security (MLSS), appointed in October 2016 a subcommittee to develop a maternity protection policy paper. The subcommittee comprised the Ministry of Labour and Social Security (MLSS), the Zambia Congress of Trade Unions, the Federation of Free Trade Unions of Zambia, and the Zambia Federation of Employers. The paper, reflecting the different social partners’ positions with respect to certain aspects, was finalized and endorsed in March 2017. Related draft legislation was developed on the basis of the policy paper in March 2017. On the basis of the policy paper and the draft legislation, various elements of the maternity protection reform have since been incorporated into a draft Social Protection Bill establishing a maternity social insurance scheme and a Draft Labour code, providing for protection of employment, paid breastfeeding breaks, protection against discrimination on the grounds of maternity, health and safety at work for pregnant women and the introduction of paid paternity leave. For certain parameters (those to be prescribed by statutory instruments) additional negotiations are required before they can be integrated into statutory instruments. This will take place once the Social Protection Bill is enacted. (b) The Zambia Association for People with Disabilities (ZAPD) developed a strategic plan, launched on 1 July 2017 by the Minister of Community Development and Social Services (MCDSS). The plan establishes a new focus of consensus building on the issues of coordination. The plan also specifically focuses on ensuring that the various Ministries offering services to people with disabilities do so with full respect of their rights. This includes provisions for social cash transfers. An assessment tool focusing on functionality to determine disability severity (as opposed to the medical model) was developed in September 2017 and thereafter piloted.

ILO's contribution to the outcome

(a) The ILO supported the preparation of the draft policy paper on maternity protection informed by the principles of ILO’s Maternity Protection Convention, 2000 (No. 183) and by inputs received from the Government and the social partners, which included ILO-facilitated training on maternity protection to constituents. The ILO further supported and undertook an actuarial valuation of proposed benefits and supported the development of communication materials to strengthen the capacity of social partners to engage effectively in advocacy and social dialogue. This work facilitated the contribution of the tripartite partners on the draft Maternity Policy Framework, as well as the incorporation of maternity protection issues within the draft National Social Protection Bill.
(b) The ILO supported the development of the ZAPD’s strategic plan through the provision of technical assistance. Subsequent training on the use of the Disability Management Information System (DMIS) was also supported by the ILO. The above work made significant contributions towards capacity building within the ZAPD. The work on the Assessment Tools – which relies on current international principles on inclusion and good practice from other similar country contexts – will build the capacity of the ZAPD to align their work with international labour standards and to help the Government and other relevant stakeholders better categorize the different levels of disability.

Gender equality & non-discrimination

The draft National Social Protection Bill mirrors the Government’s intent to improve working conditions for women and vulnerable workers through the extension of social protection coverage to the informal economy, including for example domestic workers, and through the introduction of contributory maternity and paternity protection based on the social insurance financing model, hence reducing potential discrimination of women in accessing the labour market. Progress in integration of people with disabilities in the labour market contributes significantly to avoiding discrimination in the workplace.

International Labour Standard

The results achieved are underpinned by the principles and provisions in the ILO’s Social Protection Floors Recommendation, 2012 (No. 202), the Social Security (Minimum Standards) Convention, 1952 (No. 102), and the Maternity Protection Convention, 2000 (No. 183), as evidenced by the support ILO provided in developing a series of Technical Notes highlighting key issues for consideration in the draft Bill.

Social dialogue

The ILO supported tripartite consultation processes throughout the development of the draft National Social Protection Bill. The ILO played a pivotal and strategic role in organizing tripartite consultation processes that led to comments and suggestions put forward by the social partners subsequently being integrated into the draft Bill. This included the development of position papers by the workers’ and employers’ organizations, and other consultations which helped to develop a Consensus Building Matrix aimed at guiding further high-level tripartite dialogue on the draft legislation.

Maternity