ILO Country Office Director for Zambia and Malawi, Mr. Wellington Chibebe, today paid a courtesy call on the Chinese Ambassador to Zambia, H.E. Han Jing, in Lusaka, where the two leaders discussed opportunities to strengthen cooperation in advancing decent work, fostering harmonious labour relations, and supporting sustainable economic development.
The discussions focused on promoting social dialogue between Chinese-owned enterprises and local workers, improving workplace relations, enhancing occupational safety and health (OSH) awareness, addressing language barriers, strengthening labour inspections, and tackling misinformation surrounding Chinese-owned enterprises operating in Zambia.
Mr. Chibebe commended China for its longstanding partnership with the International Labour Organization and its significant contribution to Zambia's development agenda through investment, infrastructure development, employment creation and skills transfer.
"China has been a valued and longstanding development partner of the ILO. The contribution of Chinese enterprises to Zambia's economic development and job creation is significant, and it is important that we continue working together to ensure that economic progress is accompanied by decent work, social justice and respect for labour rights," said Mr. Chibebe.
He emphasized the importance of dialogue and mutual understanding in building productive workplaces.
"Strong social dialogue remains one of the most effective tools for preventing workplace disputes, building trust and promoting harmonious industrial relations. By bringing together employers, workers and government, we can create workplaces that are both productive and inclusive," he said.
Mr. Chibebe further highlighted the need to strengthen occupational safety and health practices.
"Every worker has the right to return home safely at the end of the day. Through greater awareness, training and compliance with safety standards, we can reduce workplace accidents and create a culture of prevention across all sectors," he added.
Ambassador Han welcomed the discussions and reaffirmed China's commitment to fostering positive labour relations and supporting Zambia's development aspirations.
"Chinese enterprises operating in Zambia are important contributors to the country's economic growth and employment creation. We encourage them to operate responsibly, comply with local laws and regulations, and maintain constructive relations with their employees and host communities," said Ambassador Han.
He stressed the value of communication in strengthening workplace harmony.
"Many challenges can be resolved through better communication and greater mutual understanding. Bridging language and cultural gaps between employers and workers will help build trust, improve cooperation and create more harmonious workplaces," he said.
Addressing perceptions surrounding Chinese-owned enterprises, Ambassador Han underscored the importance of engagement and factual information.
"We believe it is important to promote objective and balanced information about the contribution of Chinese businesses in Zambia. Increased dialogue among stakeholders can help address misconceptions and foster stronger partnerships based on mutual respect and shared interests,"he noted.
The Ambassador also expressed China's readiness to work closely with the ILO and other stakeholders on labour-related matters.
"China values its cooperation with the ILO and appreciates its efforts in promoting decent work and social justice. We stand ready to deepen collaboration in areas such as occupational safety and health, skills development, labour relations and capacity building for the benefit of workers, enterprises and communities alike," Ambassador Han said.
Both leaders agreed on the importance of continued engagement to strengthen labour-management cooperation, enhance workplace standards and ensure that economic growth delivers tangible benefits for workers and employers alike.
