The Parliamentary Committee on National Economy, Trade and Labour Matters has gone beyond law-making to assess the on-the-ground implementation of the Occupational Health and Safety Act No. 16 of 2025.
Speaking during a monitoring visit to the Occupational Health and Safety Institute (OHSI), Committee Chairperson Sibeso Sefulo said Parliament is keen to ensure that legislation enacted last year is delivering tangible results.
Ms. Sefulo explained that although the Act was passed in 2025, the committee has deliberately re-engaged key institutions to evaluate how the law is being applied in practice rather than waiting several years before reviewing its effectiveness.
She said the committee is committed to identifying implementation challenges at an early stage and addressing legal or operational gaps promptly, noting that proactive oversight is critical to the success of any new law.
Meanwhile, Occupational Health and Safety Institute Chief Executive Officer, Martha Chakulimba, said occupational health and safety remains a major global concern, with more than two million workers dying annually from work-related accidents and diseases, costing the global economy an estimated US$2.8 trillion.
Dr. Chakulimba welcomed the enactment of the Occupational Health and Safety Act No. 16 of 2025, describing it as a significant milestone in strengthening workplace safety and health standards across Zambia.
She said the new law will enable OHSI to extend occupational health services to all sectors of the economy. Dr. Chakulimba noted that since 1945, occupational health services in Zambia have largely focused on the mining sector, leaving workers in other industries exposed to occupational risks.
