The ILO Office in Zambia was established in 1968 following an agreement signed between the Government of the Republic of Zambia and the International Labour Office. The Office was active in organizing and supporting ILO assistance to liberation movements of South Africa, Namibia and Zimbabwe. Since the end of the apartheid regime in South Africa and the opening of an ILO Office in Pretoria in 1995, the ILO Office in Lusaka has been responsible for ILO activities in Malawi, Mozambique and Zambia.

A comprehensive set of advisory services, technical cooperation programmes, training and research activities have been initiated in Zambia as a contribution to the operationalization of the ILO Decent Work Agenda across the ILO’s four ILO strategic objectives which are:

• Promotion and realisation of standards and fundamental principles and rights at work;
• Creation of greater opportunities for women and men to secure decent employment and income;
• Enhancement of the coverage and effectiveness of social protection for all;
• Strengthening of tripartism and social dialogue.

Decent work presents a formidable challenge to Zambia. All these technical programmes and activities are aimed at the realisation and operationalization of the right of every Zambian to decent work. Decent work means productive work in which rights at work are protected, an adequate income is shared, and where there is appropriate social protection, including safe working conditions and a healthy working environment, in particular protection against work-related accidents and diseases.