National Policy on Child Labour

An ILO fact sheet on child labour indicates a high incidence of child labour in the country, a clear violation of children’s rights. Also, working children present a major source of cheap labour leading to a depression of the wages. As such, child labour perpetuates the unemployment of adults who may require a more adequate payment for labour. As a result, child labour jeopardizes both the adults’ and children’s future. The vision of the Policy is thus, to contribute to the transformation of Zambia into a country that is free from poverty, discrimination and injustice, through the creation of conditions that would allow employment for every able bodied woman and; while safeguarding the rights of children through the prevention and elimination of all forms of child labour, exploitation and abuse. The Policy aims to assist the Labour Congress with guidance on various matters in respect to children’s rights in the world of work.