Zambia Cracks Down on Driver Welfare Violations as Road Accidents Surge

 By Daily News Reporter

Ministry of Labour and Social Security Minister Ms Brenda Mwika Tambatamba has issued a strong warning to employers in the transport and logistics sector, declaring that violations of labour laws affecting drivers will no longer be tolerated.

Speaking during a Special Drivers Safety Workshop and the unveiling of a Six-Month Road Safety Study in Lusaka, the Minister announced intensified inspections targeting non-compliance, unsafe working conditions, and fatigue-related practices that are contributing to a rise in road accidents.

She stressed that employers who fail to register drivers with statutory social security institutions or neglect workplace safety obligations will face robust enforcement measures.

Minister Tambatamba directed employers to ensure all drivers are registered with the following institutions with NAPSA. NHIMA and Workers Compensation.

She explained that full compliance guarantees drivers access to retirement and invalidity benefits, survivors’ benefits, healthcare coverage for dependents, and compensation for work-related injuries.

“No driver should dedicate years of service to this country only to retire into poverty or insecurity,” Tambatamba asserted.

Beyond registration, she emphasized that employers must provide fair wages, adequate rest periods, and clear written contracts outlining job descriptions, working hours, salaries, leave entitlements, and statutory allowances.

Describing drivers as the backbone of Zambia’s economy, Tambatamba highlighted their essential role in transporting goods from farms to markets, factories to borders, and ensuring daily mobility for citizens.

“Without drivers, Zambia would simply come to a standstill,” she said, calling for collective responsibility among government, employers, and the public to guarantee decent, safe, and dignified working conditions.

She reaffirmed that these protections are anchored in the Constitution, the Employment Code Act No. 3 of 2019, and Zambia’s commitments to the International Labour Organization.

Tambatamba also urged drivers—including long-distance truckers, bus and taxi operators, delivery riders, and company drivers—to verify their social security status. She encouraged them to request their NAPSA numbers, confirm NHIMA registration, and ensure contributions are being properly remitted.

“Compliance is not a burden; it is an investment,” she said, noting that adherence reduces accidents, improves productivity, lowers staff turnover, and enhances corporate reputation.

Meanwhile, Humphrey Monde, President of the United Federation of Employers in Zambia (UFEZ), called on the government to declare road traffic accidents a national pandemic.

He urged Minister Tambatamba to escalate the matter to Hakainde Hichilema, citing alarming statistics from the 2025 festive season.

And According to police figures referenced at the workshop, December 26 alone recorded 224 accidents, including 23 fatal crashes that claimed 28 lives. During the New Year period, 136 accidents were reported, with 14 fatal crashes resulting in 16 deaths.

Dr. Monde described the situation as a public health emergency requiring coordinated intervention from the Ministries of Transport, Home Affairs, and Labour, alongside the Road Transport and Safety Agency (RTSA), employers, and trade unions.

He also highlighted unsafe practices such as buses blocking Freedom Way in Lusaka’s Central Business District while loading passengers, warning that such actions increase congestion and accident risks.

“Road crashes disrupt business operations, escalate insurance costs, reduce productivity, and threaten Zambia’s ambition to become a regional trade hub,” he said.

The workshop brought together government officials, employers, trade unions, and professional drivers, marking a renewed commitment to improving driver welfare, strengthening social protection systems, and enhancing road safety standards.

Participants agreed that stronger cooperation and strict enforcement of labour and safety regulations will be critical to protecting lives and ensuring a safer, more efficient transport sector across Zambia.