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The government has transferred the National Vocational Rehabilitation Centre (NVRC) from the Ministry of Community Development and Social Services to the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, under the administration of the Workers’ Compensation Fund Control Board (WCFCB).
Minister of Labour and Social Security, Brenda Tambatamba, said the move represented a major step toward transforming the Centre into a modern Occupational Injury Rehabilitation and Vocational Training Centre aligned with the government’s inclusive development agenda.
Speaking during a visit to NVRC in Lusaka on Tuesday, Tambatamba said the realignment demonstrated government’s unwavering commitment to inclusivity and decent work for all Zambians.
“The New Dawn Government under the leadership of President Hakainde Hichilema remains steadfast and committed to ensuring that policy re-alignments are made to invigorate the vital role of NVRC in the provision of rehabilitation and skills training for persons with disabilities,” she said.
Tambatamba explained that the handover of the Centre to WCFCB linked it to national priorities of inclusivity, skills development, and the promotion of the Decent Work Agenda for persons with disabilities.
She added that the move would enable the Centre to effectively serve both injured workers and persons with disabilities through rehabilitation and vocational skills programmes.
“Government is aware that the transfer of the Centre will cause anxieties among stakeholders, especially employees and learners. However, I wish to assure you that all necessary measures will be taken to ensure a smooth conclusion of the transition of NVRC,” Tambatamba stated.
She said the transfer to the Ministry of Labour and Social Security would prevent further deterioration of the infrastructure and enhance the Centre’s productive capacity through investments in human capital, infrastructure, and equipment.
Tambatamba reiterated the Ministry’s commitment to transforming NVRC into a regional centre of excellence that provides comprehensive rehabilitation and vocational training in line with International Labour Organization (ILO) conventions and government employment policies.
“WCFCB, through the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, undertakes to develop a regional centre of excellence for the provision of world-class rehabilitation programmes to integrate persons with disabilities into the labour market,” she said.
The Minister expressed gratitude to Cabinet for approving the realignment and to the Ministry of Community Development and Social Services for its collaboration under the One Government approach.
Minister of Community Development and Social Services, Doreen Mwamba, assured staff of government’s support, emphasising that the transfer was not meant to disrupt operations but to promote progress and stability.
Mwamba urged employees to embrace change and build a stronger rehabilitation and vocational centre capable of empowering persons with disabilities, thereby setting new standards of excellence in vocational rehabilitation and training.
Meanwhile, Ministry of Labour and Social Security Principal Public Relations Officer, Mwaka Ndawa, explained that NVRC was established in 1977 by the then Workmen’s Compensation Board with funding from the Finnish Government and WCFCB to provide rehabilitation services to workers injured in occupational accidents.
“It was later transferred to the Ministry of Community Development in 1990 to expand its mandate to persons with disabilities,” Ndawa said.
She added that in recent years, the Centre had faced challenges including inadequate funding, dilapidated infrastructure, limited staff competencies, and an accumulation of unpaid emoluments.
“Cabinet’s decision to reassign the NVRC follows a realization that the country lacked a state-of-the-art rehabilitation centre for workers injured on the job, which is essential to help them return to good health and productivity,” Ndawa said.
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