30 January, 2025Zambia has become the ninth African country to ratify the International Labour Organization (ILO) Convention 190 (C190), a landmark global treaty aimed at eliminating violence and harassment in the world of work. Zambia has officially ratified the convention on 13 December 2024.
IndustriALL Global Union-affiliated unions in Zambia represent tens of thousands of workers across the energy, engineering, mining, cement, chemical, and manufacturing industries, where cases of workplace violence and harassment have been reported.
According to United Nations reports, one in three women and girls in Zambia have experienced physical violence, while 17 per cent have faced sexual violence. The reports attribute this to entrenched gender inequalities and patriarchal power structures, which are reinforced by social and cultural norms. These harmful practices—including domestic violence—are also prevalent in workplaces, making the fight against gender-based violence and harassment (GBVH) a critical issue for unions.
To push for the ratification of C190, Zambian trade unions led national campaigns in cooperation with the Zambian Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) and engaged with the government through social dialogue.
Astridah Matau Phiri, director for workers’ education and training at the National Union of Commercial & Industrial Workers (NUCIW), highlighted the role of unions in securing this milestone:
“This is an important achievement for trade unions in Zambia. We relentlessly campaigned for the ratification of Convention 190. We are also grateful for the campaign toolkits developed by IndustriALL, which helped us raise awareness among workers on the importance of the convention.”
NUCIW’s campaign efforts included workplace visits, leaflet distribution on stopping GBVH, and training shop stewards on addressing gender inequality and discrimination. The union emphasized the need to foster a workplace culture that respects workers’ rights regardless of gender identity.
IndustriALL regional secretary for Sub-Saharan Africa, Paule France Ndessomin, emphasized that ratification is just the beginning:
“The regional office urges Zambian unions to view ratification as an important first step. However, the real challenge lies in implementation. It is crucial to develop workplace policies aligned with ILO Recommendation 206 and to integrate C190 into national labour laws so that real change can take effect in the world of work.”
IndustriALL Global Union continues to support Zambian unions in their efforts to ensure the convention translates into tangible protections for workers.
IndustriALL affiliates in Zambia include:
- National Energy Sector and Allied Workers Union (NESAWU)
- National Union of Building, Engineering, and General Workers (NUBEGW)
- Mine Workers Union of Zambia (MUZ)
- National Union of Commercial & Industrial Workers (NUCIW)
Zambia’s ratification of Convention 190 is a step forward in the fight against workplace violence and harassment. Now, unions will shift their focus to ensuring its effective implementation and enforcement.