Decent Work and Strengthening Social Security Key to National Development

Decent work cannot exist where workers face deception, coercion, unsafe conditions or abuse, says Centre on Human Trafficking Research and Outreach (CenHTRO) senior country coordinator Dr. Chishimba Nakamba Mulambia.

Reflecting on the Friday, 1st May 2026 national labour day theme: "Securing Zambia's Future of Work through protecting Jobs, Skills and Pensions for Decent Work", Dr Mulambia says CenHTRO joins the nation in reaffirming that the future of work must be grounded in worker protection, social security, skills development and freedom from exploitation. 

In a Monday, 4th May, 2026 Press Statement, Dr. Mulambia said this year’s theme is timely as it recognizes that securing the future of work is not only about employment creation but about ensuring that jobs are safe, skills are relevant and adaptive, and that pensions provide dignity in later life, and all workers have access to decent work.

"For vulnerable workers, including Youths and Young Adults (YYAs), these protections are also critical safeguards against labour exploitation and human trafficking," Dr. Mulambia said.

"Exploitation can include forced labour, sexual exploitation, domestic servitude, child trafficking, debt bondage, forced marriage, and related forms of modern slavery. So protecting Jobs Means Protecting Workers from Exploitation since decent work cannot exist where workers face deception, coercion, unsafe conditions or abuse," said Dr. Mulambia.

CenHTRO at the University of Georgia,USA is an interdisciplinary and collaborative social work research hub seeking to reduce the prevalence of human trafficking globally by conducting innovative research, designing impactful programmes and advocating for effective policies with support from the US Department of State office.

Dr. Mulambia views the 2026 Labour Day theme as speaking directly to the issues CenHTRO is steadily working on with its partners.

"Protecting jobs must mean protecting workers from exploitation. Skills development must equip young people not only for employment, but for safe and productive livelihoods," Dr. Mulambia said.
" Social protection, including pensions, is part of the broader architecture that reduces vulnerability and secures dignity across the life course.

“At CenHTRO, we are working with the Anti-Human Trafficking Department, the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, the Ministry of Community Development and Social Services, and Catholic Relief Services to address these challenges through skills building and Working Capital Management interventions that strengthen financial capability, support livelihoods, and reduce vulnerability to labour trafficking," said 
Dr. Mulambia.

Dr. Mulambia says the inclusion of pensions in this year’s theme is significant because Social protection systems are essential for reducing insecurity and supporting dignity across the life course.

"For vulnerable populations, social protection also contributes to prevention. Economic insecurity, absence of safety nets and financial distress often create conditions that traffickers exploit," she said.
She said that securing the future of work must include attention to worker wellbeing and mental health.
"Labour systems must recognise that the quality and conditions of work affect psychological wellbeing," says Dr. Mulambia.

"Mental health support should be integrated into worker protection systems, including through strengthened capacity among labour officers, inspectors and social welfare actors to identify distress and respond appropriately," said Dr. Mulambia.

CenHTRO has anchored its programmes with government structures under its Memorandum of Understanding with the Ministry of Home Affairs and Internal Security through the Anti-Human Trafficking Department, while working collaboratively with labour, social welfare and development partners.
By Hellen Bwalya and Derrick Sinjela