Labour Day, ESCR And “Smart Partnership”
Abstract
This year’s Labour Day celebration occurs within a context of conflict as government is proposing to lay before the Parliament new labour legislation that is highly contentious. Zambia is to host the “Smart Partnership” Forum in July. Just how “smart” will such a partnership be in promoting development in this country if it does not take as a number one priority an improvement in the labour situation? For such an improvement to occur, there has to be an inclusion in a new Bill of Rights in a new Constitution of the set of Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ESCR). Without inclusion of the proposed ESCR in the new Constitution, the type of labour conflicts we are currently experiencing in Zambia are likely to be repeated year in and year out.
Description
Labour Day reminds us to appreciate workers and the need to improve their working conditions. This statement shows the new labour legislation proposed by government and further questions the extent to which the smart partnership will help promote development in Zambia.