Zambia's ILRA (Cap. 269) protects workers' rights to join unions and prohibits unfair labour practices. The Labour Commissioner investigates violations and the Industrial Labour Tribunal can order reinstatement and lost wages.
The Industrial and Labour Relations Act (Cap. 269 of the Laws of Zambia) governs collective labour relations, trade unions, and workplace disputes in Zambia. Key provisions: **Unfair labour practices (s. 105)**: It is an unfair labour practice for an employer to: - Dismiss, penalise, or discriminate against an employee because of union membership or activity - Threaten or victimise an employee for asserting rights under any labour law - Interfere with or obstruct the formation or activities of a trade union **Labour Commissioner (s. 85)**: The Labour Commissioner has power to investigate complaints of violations of labour law and to order employers to pay wages due to employees. **Industrial Labour Tribunal**: Where the Tribunal finds an unfair labour practice, it may order reinstatement of the employee and payment of wages lost as a result of the unfair practice. **Collective bargaining**: The Act governs the recognition of trade unions, collective bargaining agreements, and the resolution of collective disputes through mediation and arbitration. Complaints can be lodged with the Ministry of Labour and Social Security or directly with the Industrial Labour Tribunal.
A worker is demoted after she joins the workers' union at her factory. Under section 105 of the ILRA, demoting an employee for union membership is an unfair labour practice. She files a complaint with the Labour Commissioner, who investigates and orders her reinstatement to her former grade.
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