The Commission Participates in ZIHRM 5th Regional Summit and 20th Annual General Meeting

The Commission participated in the Zambia Institute of Human Resources Management 5th Regional Summit and 20th Annual General Meeting (AGM) which was held at Avani Victoria Falls Hotel in Livingstone from 31st May to 2nd June, 2017.

Commission Staff who attended the Summit and AGM were Acting Human Resource & Administration Manager Mr. Mangala Zimba, Administrative Officer Mrs. Rhoda Sinkala,
Assistant Administrative Officer Ms. Mutinta Hamunyangwa and Assistant Administrative Officer Mr. Derrick Mbewe.

In her opening speech at the Summit, Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Mrs. Joyce Nonde Simukoko MP said that Government was saddened with the alarming number of human resource personnel practising illegally. Mrs, Simukoko said that it is illegal for anyone to practice Human Resource Management without a practicing license from ZIHRM. The Minister further called on ZIHRM to intensify inspections through partnering with inspectors from the Ministry and ensure that all culprits are brought to book. The minister also assured ZIHRM that Government is in the process of amending the ZIHRM Act No.11 of 1997.

Speaking at the same function, Labour Commissioner Mr. Chanda Kaziya implored Human Resources practitioners to acquaint themselves with the principles that promote decent work for all workers and Zambians in general. Mr. Kaziya urged all Human Resource personnel to ensure that safety at work, social security and freedom of association is a priority on the human resource agenda.

Acting Human Resource & Administration Manager Mr. Mangala Zimba told the Weekly that he found the Summit and AGM enlightening, “ it was a very enlightening summit and the topics were appropriate to Commission work”, Mr. Zimba also said that of particular interest were the presentations on labour laws which raised the need for the harmonisation of labour laws to meet contemporary Human Resource standards. Mr. Zimba further said that the ZIHRM elections were conducted well by the Commission.

The AGM was held on 2nd June, 2017 and it was officially opened by Southern Province Minister Hon. Dr. Edify Hamukale MP who stressed the importance of the Human Resource profession as being critical in the operations of many organisations since it is responsible for one of the important factors of production – labour.

The AGM was an elective one and saw the ushering in of a new Council for the Institute following elections which were conducted by a team from the Electoral Commission of Zambia.