Humphrey Monde

UFEZ AND ILO PLEDGE SAFER WORKPLACES FOR ZAMBIA’S DRIVERS AND ARTISANAL MINERS

Thousands of Zambian truck drivers and artisanal miners are set to benefit from stronger safety measures after the United Federation of Employers in Zambia and the International Labour Organisation agreed to deepen their collaboration on decent work.

UFEZ President Dr Humphrey Monde paid a courtesy call on ILO Country Office Director for Zambia and Malawi Mr Wellington Chibebe in Lusaka today to discuss practical ways of protecting workers in key sectors of the economy.

The two leaders focused on local and cross-border drivers whose work keeps regional trade moving through busy corridors like Chirundu, Nakonde and Kasumbalesa, but who often face long hours, fatigue and limited access to healthcare.

Dr Monde said drivers deserve more than recognition as the wheels of trade. He stressed that their safety, rest and dignity must be prioritised through better rest facilities, stronger health and safety standards, and open dialogue between transport companies, unions and government.

The discussions also turned to Zambia’s artisanal miners, many of whom depend on small-scale mining in Copperbelt, North-Western and Central provinces to support their families.

Mr Chibebe noted that while artisanal mining is a critical source of livelihoods, too many miners still work in unsafe conditions with little protective equipment and poor ventilation. He said the ILO is committed to supporting Zambia with practical interventions like basic safety training, simple tools and health checks that fit the realities of informal mining without destroying jobs.

Both Dr Monde and Mr Chibebe reaffirmed that lasting change will come through strong partnerships and social dialogue involving employers, workers, unions and government.
They said their shared goal is to build workplaces where employees are protected, employers are supported, and productivity grows because safety comes first.

Issued by:
Alfred Chimba
Media and Public Relations Officer,
Office of the Executive President (UFEZ)

We continue pushing for Better health services for our people.

ZAMBIA PLANS REHABILITATION CENTERS AND SKILLS HUBS IN ALL DISTRICTS BY 2031

By Alfred Chimba

Thousands of Zambians living with disability could soon access therapy closer to home, as government and civil society push to build rehabilitation centers in every urban and rural district by 2031.

Civil Society Health Partnership Executive Director Dr Humphrey Monde announced the plan today during the Planning Launch of the Ministry of Health’s 2027-2031 Performance Review and Medium Term Budget Plan meeting in Lusaka. The meeting is assessing health sector KPIs for 2027 to 2029.

Dr Monde said the shortage of rehabilitation facilities forces patients with stroke, injuries, and other conditions to travel long distances, often abandoning treatment altogether. He called on government and development partners to urgently fund and allocate land for the new centers.

“We cannot talk about universal health coverage when a mother in Chinsali or Kalabo has to travel 300 kilometers for physiotherapy,” Dr Monde said. “We must build these centers, equip them with assistive devices, and ensure they meet minimum standards so quality does not depend on where you live.”

The proposal outlines seven key steps: advocate for funding and land, develop rural facility guidelines, construct and equip centers with tools like wheelchairs and therapy equipment, recruit and deploy qualified rehabilitation staff, link rural centers to district hospitals through referral systems, train community health workers to follow up patients at home, and mobilize communities to reduce stigma and increase use of services.

By 2031, the Ministry of Health will track progress through five indicators: number of patients accessing rehab services each quarter, percentage of districts with at least one functional facility, number of rehabilitation staff recruited, annual referrals from communities, and patient satisfaction scores. The target for satisfaction at rural centers is 70%.

Dr Monde also revealed plans to integrate vocational skills centers inside the rehabilitation facilities. The idea, he said, is to help patients earn a living after therapy.

“Rehabilitation must go beyond restoring movement. It must restore dignity,” he said. “When a patient leaves therapy, they should also leave with a skill.”

The skills hubs will teach market-relevant trades such as tailoring, carpentry, food production, agriculture, crafts, and ICT. Qualified instructors will be hired, workshops equipped, and partnerships formed with businesses and government for certification and job placement. Patients will also receive psychosocial counseling and links to seed capital and microfinance.

Dr Monde said civil society is ready to work with the Ministry of Health to turn the plans into action. “If we get this right, disability will no longer mean dependency. It will mean possibility,” he said.

The Ministry is expected to finalize the proposals as part of the 2027-2031 National Health Strategic Plan.

📸:File Photo

Earlier today with Presidents representing other regions.

CONGRATULATORY MESSAGE TO DR. HUMPHREY MONDE

On behalf of the Board, Management, and Members of the United Federation of Employers in Zambia (UFEZ), we extend our heartfelt congratulations to our Executive President, Dr. Humphrey Monde, on his dual appointments with immediate effect:

1. Regional Representative for Southern Africa on the Private Sector Advisory Council of the African Development Bank (AfDB)
2. Focal Point Representative for Southern African Countries by the Business Africa Confederation of Employers

These prestigious appointments are a testament to Dr. Monde’s visionary leadership, deep expertise, and unwavering dedication to advancing the interests of the private sector. They place UFEZ and Zambia at the center of critical regional economic dialogue.

We are confident that Dr. Monde will leverage these platforms to champion policies that grow enterprises, create jobs, and strengthen social dialogue across Southern Africa.

The entire UFEZ family celebrates you. We wish you success as you take on these important responsibilities.

Issued by:
Alfred Chimba
Media and Communications Officer,
Office of the Executive President,
United Federation of Employers in Zambia (UFEZ)

Day Well Spent!

ILO CHIEF MEETS AFRICAN EMPLOYER LEADERS IN PUSH FOR BUSINESS GROWTH AND JOBS

The United Federation of Employers in Zambia (UFEZ) welcomes today’s high-level meeting between ILO Director-General Gilbert F. Houngbo and Africa’s leading employer organizations, calling it a major step for enterprise growth on the continent.

Mr. Houngbo sat down with Ms. Jacqueline Mugo, President of the International Organization of Employers; Mr. Agny Baidy, President of Business Africa; Dr. Humphrey Monde, President of UFEZ; Mr. Nacer Berkani, President of the General Confederation of Algerian Enterprises; and Mr. Bonsoir, President of the Tunisian Employers Federation.

The talks focused on two clear questions: What will it take for African businesses to grow, and how can the ILO better support the employer federations driving that growth?

UFEZ President Dr. Humphrey Monde said the meeting showed African employers are now speaking with one voice.
“We laid out the real challenges our members face every day — access to finance, skills gaps, regulatory hurdles, and the shift to digital and green economies.
The ILO’s commitment to work alongside us means we can push for reforms that actually grow businesses and create jobs.”

Mr. Houngbo was direct in his response: “Without thriving enterprises, there is no decent work. The ILO stands ready to strengthen employers’ organizations so the private sector can deliver the growth Africa needs.”

The leaders agreed to move quickly on four fronts:
1. Build a joint roadmap for enterprise growth tied to Agenda 2063 and the AfCFTA.
2. Scale up ILO support to help federations improve research, advocacy, and member services.
3. Hold these high-level talks regularly to track progress.
4. Coordinate African employer positions at global meetings on labor and economic policy.

For UFEZ, the meeting confirms that the private sector is being recognized as central to Zambia’s and Africa’s development plans. The Federation will use the momentum to advocate for policies that make it easier to start, run, and grow businesses here at home.

“This isn’t just dialogue,” Dr. Monde added. “It’s the start of practical work to make sure our companies can compete, invest, and employ more Zambians.”

Issued by:
Mr Alfred Chimba
Media and Communications Officer,
Executive President's Office
United Federation of Employers in Zambia (UFEZ)

We are making progress 👏🏾

UFEZ & CHNA ENTERPRISE CONFEDERATION AGREE TO PARTNERSHIP FRAMEWORK

The United Federation of Employers of Zambia (UFEZ) has held a productive engagement with the China Enterprise Confederation (CEC) culminating in an agreement to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).

The MOU will create a structured platform to ease partnerships and deepen collaboration between Zambian and Chinese enterprises.
Key areas of cooperation will include investment promotion, skills and technology transfer, labor best practices and joint business development initiatives.

UFEZ believes this partnership will open new opportunities for local businesses, strengthen employer-to-employer dialogue and support Zambia’s broader economic and industrialization goals.

EAQAZ APPLAUDS FREE EDUCATION NOW ENSHRINED IN LAW

Lusaka, 7th June, 2026

The Educational Association for Quality Assurance in Zambia (EAQAZ) joins the nation in celebrating President Hakainde Hichilema’s signing of the Free Education Bill into law.

This is more than a legal milestone. It is a clear investment in equity, national development, and human dignity.
In communities where household incomes vary widely, and where rural families often face the greatest barriers, free education gives every child a chance to walk through the classroom door.

At EAQAZ, we believe access and quality must go hand in hand.
Opening schools to all is the first victory. Making sure each learner gets a meaningful, relevant, and quality education is the work that must follow.

We commend the President and Government for protecting this policy in law. For vulnerable children especially, it restores hope.
Free education is not just about attendance.
It is about giving every Zambian child a fair start to learn, grow, and contribute to the country’s future.

Education for all must mean quality education for all.

Dr. Humphrey Monde
Vice President – Administration
Educational Association for Quality Assurance in Zambia (EAQAZ)

We are Here!

UFEZ is really pushing for the recognition and support of care work, which is amazing. They're highlighting its impact on the economy, gender equality, and social development.
Care work is a big deal, with millions care workers worldwide, and it's often women who bear the brunt of it, affecting their job prospects and pay.

To tackle this, UFEZ is advocating for:
-Decent Work: Fair pay, safe conditions, and social protection for care workers
-Policy Support: Governments implementing policies like paid family leave and childcare services
- Capacity Building: Training and resources for care workers to boost their skills