The Ministry of Labour and Social Security through the office of the Labour Commissioner has charged 10 companies in Lusaka and Kabwe an administrative penalty amounting to a total of K420 000 for being non-compliant with various sections of the Employment Code Act, No.3 of 2019.
This was contained in charge letters signed by Labour Commissioner, Givens Muntengwa who has penalised them for not providing written contracts to employees, issuance of contracts that are not attested by the Labour office in the case of those who are illiterate, no remittance with NAPSA, NHIMA and Workers Compensation, not providing Proper Protective Equipment to their employees and underpayment of their employees among others.
The charges are in view of the recently conducted inspections by the Ministry together with its statutory bodies in the two Provinces that revealed the stated companies’ failure to provide the stipulated requirements when engaging employees.
In Lusaka, the four companies which were charged K60, 000 include; Miles Trucking and General Dealers, Lift and Shift Trucking, ACK logistics and Forshan Trading.
In Kabwe, the companies are, Mahak Restaurant, Central Farmers Nest Limited, Glance Milling Company, Hot sizzling Pub and Grill Limited, Cleaners Delight and Central Farmers Nest Pharmacy and they have been charged K30, 000 each for various contraventions.
The Ministry has since appealed to companies in various sectors in the country to adequately familiarise themselves with the Employment Code Act and they have further been implored to employ certified Human Resource practitioners registered with the Zambia Institute of Human Resource Management to increase compliance levels and avoid unnecessary sanctions.
In addition, members of the public have also been encouraged to report all cases of non- compliance that may be experienced in different sectors to the nearest Labour Office.
This is contained in a statement made available to Flava News by Ministry of Labour and Social Security Public Relations Officer Godfrida Chisala.
