ZCTU calls for urgent action on jobs, skills, social protection at ILO conference

The Zambia Congress of Trade Unions has called for acceleration in the creation of decent jobs for the youth and women and increased investment in education, skills and digital literacy amidst artificial intelligence challenges and economic hardships. ZCTU President Blake Mulala, speaking as Workers’ Delegate at the 114th Session of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Conference plenary, said the world of work today faced complex realities that required urgent intervention. Mulala said digital platforms, automation, and artificial intelligence provided opportunities for growth while simultaneously creating risks such as job displacement, precarious employment, and skills development.

He emphasized that technology should serve humanity and complement workers rather than replace them. “The world continues to face economic fragility characterized by inflation, rising debt, supply chain disruptions, unemployment, and shrinking fiscal space,” Mulala noted. He also called for strengthened social dialogue and collective bargaining and the establishment of a universal social protection system amidst economic fragility due to wars.

“These measures were critical to protecting workers and ensuring inclusive growth as economies navigate current shocks. Wars and conflicts continue to undermine economies through inflation, food insecurity, higher energy costs, disrupted trade routes, and investment uncertainty,” Mulala noted. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express permission from ZAMBIA MONITOR.