PRESS STATEMENT BY THE CHIEF GOVERNMENT SPOKESPERSON ON THE DECISIONS MADE BY CABINET AT THE 2ND CABINET MEETING HELD ON TUESDAY, 15TH FEBRUARY, 2022.
The President of the Republic of Zambia, Mr. Hakainde Hichilema called for the 2nd Cabinet Meeting on Tuesday, 15th February, 2022, to discuss developmental issues in order for the New Dawn Government to provide policy direction for enhanced socio-economic prosperity for the people of Zambia.
The President stressed the need for public service employees to work together with the political leadership in delivering the much-needed development, in line with the United Party for National Development Manifesto.
The following are the issues deliberated upon by Cabinet:
1. The Emoluments Commission Bill, 2022.
Cabinet approved four (4) Bills for publication and introduction in Parliament during this sitting that commenced Tuesday, 15th February, 2022, particularly that this sitting of Parliament is mainly to deliberate on Bills presented by the Executive Arm of Government.
Cabinet approved “The Emoluments Commission Bill, 2022,” for publication and introduction in Parliament during this sitting. The objectives of this Bill are to among others, provide for a harmonised framework to govern the determination and management of emoluments for chiefs and officers in a State organ and State institution. The approval of the Bill to establish the Emoluments Commission, is in line with Article 232 of the Constitution of Zambia. When enacted into law, the Commission is intended to address a number of the inconsistencies that exist in payment of emoluments across the three Arms of the Government.
2. The Zambia Institute of Marketing Bill, 2022.
Cabinet also approved for publication and introduction in Parliament, “The Zambia Institute of Marketing Bill, 2022.” The objectives of this Bill are to among others, continue the existence of the Zambia Institute of Marketing and redefine its powers and functions; promote and enhance the marketing profession; and provide for the registration of marketers and regulate their practice and professional conduct.
Cabinet is of the view that the Bill, once enacted, will result in the efficient and effective operation of the Zambia Institute of Marketing and further provide a legal framework for disciplining erring marketers in the exercise of marketing.
3. The Zambia Institute of Human Resource Management Bill, 2022.
Another Bill approved by Cabinet for publication and introduction in Parliament during this sitting is “The Zambia Institute of Human Resource Management Bill, 2022.” The objectives of this Bill are to, continue the existence of the Zambia Institute of Human Resources Management and re-name it as the Zambia Institute of Human Resource Management and re-define its functions; promote and enhance the human resource management profession; and provide for the registration of human resource management practitioners and regulate their practice and professional conduct.
Cabinet has observed that The Zambia Institute of Human Resources Management Act, No. 11 of 1997, is inadequate in dealing with the many issues relating to the human resource management profession in the country. Therefore, there is need to repeal and replace the Act in order to promote and enhance the human resource management profession and also promote and enforce international best practice relating to the human resource management profession in the country.
4. The Social Workers’ Association of Zambia Bill, 2022.
The fourth Bill approved by Cabinet is “The Social Workers’ Association of Zambia Bill, 2022.” The objectives of the Bill are to continue the existence of the Social Workers’ Association of Zambia; provide for the registration of social workers and regulate their professional conduct; and provide for disciplinary procedures for social workers in the social work profession.
Currently, there is no legal framework governing the social work profession in Zambia. The proposed legislation, therefore, seeks to introduce a legal and regulatory framework to govern the social work profession and ensure the efficient and effective operation of the Social Workers’ Association of Zambia including the efficient delivery of services by social workers and the promotion of the social work profession in the country.
5. Ratification of the African Road Safety Charter.
The last item discussed during the Cabinet Meeting is the approval by Cabinet for Zambia to ratify “The African Road Safety Charter.”
The African Road Safety Charter is an international instrument which was adopted on 31st January, 2016 by the 26th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State of the African Union, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Zambia signed the Charter on 17th July, 2016.
The Charter requires ratification by 15 Member States to enter into force and Zambia wishes to register itself as being one of the countries on the continent to ratify such a progress Charter so that the country benefits from the continental approach towards reducing road traffic crashes, injuries and fatalities, including identifying sustainable funding sources among other policies.
Hon. Chushi Kasanda, MP
MINISTER OF INFORMATION AND MEDIA AND CHIEF GOVERNMENT SPOKESPERSON
16THFEBRUARY, 2022