Big increase in membership for the Zambia Federation of Employers
From October 22 till 27th DECP country manager Jannes van der Velde undertook an advisory mission to the ZFE. While there, he learned that following strong opposition of the Zambia Federation of Employers (ZFE) against a very sudden change in the minimum wage law the membership of ZFE grew by over 20 per cent within a few months. The new government decided to raise minimum wages by up to 70 per cent overnight.
Approximately 75 organisations – most of them big employers - signed up for membership showing their appreciation of the way ZFE argued that the economic effects of the law change would be disastrous and that many jobs would be shed. Furthermore, ZFE deplores the fact that the government did not bother to consult the employers on the proposed change.