By 
Labour and Social Security Minister, Brendah Tambatamba, has outlined the comprehensive pension reforms approved by Cabinet in January 2025, saying they were aimed at addressing long-standing challenges in Zambia’s social security system.
Tambatamba said the reforms focused on ensuring timely and predictable benefit payments to retirees, and harmonising pension schemes to reduce duplication and improve efficiency.
She said this on Sunday in Chongwe during a stakeholders’ forum on pension reforms with the Parliamentary Committee on National Economy, Trade and Labour Matters, held at Ciela Resort.
The Minister explained that the reforms sought to modernise the pension legal framework to make it more customer-centric, strengthen governance and transparency in pension fund management, and expanded coverage to include workers currently excluded from the system.
She added that the measures would also promote sustainability by aligning contributions and benefits with economic realities.
“These reforms aim to restore trust in the system, protect the dignity of workers, and ensure pensions serve their intended purpose. The government commenced social security reforms in 2022, and this is a continuation of that effort,” Tambatamba said.
She stressed that the reforms reflected public input and the government’s commitment to delivering a more effective and responsive pension system.
“We must acknowledge the challenges that have persisted for a very long time in the social security landscape, among them low coverage, inadequate benefits, fragmented systems, delayed payments, and inconsistencies in our legislation,” she said.
Tambatamba noted that these challenges affected the lives of teachers, nurses, miners, civil servants, employers, and many other citizens.
She said the government, working with public social security institutions, was implementing reforms tailored to meet both the long-term and short-term needs of workers.
“These reforms are about restoring trust in the system and ensuring that pensions serve their true purpose, which is protecting the dignity of our people after work,” Tambatamba said.
Earlier, Emoluments Commission Chairperson Chembo Mbulo echoed the Minister’s sentiments, stressing that the reform effort was not limited to NAPSA but encompassed a broad range of schemes including PSPF, LASF, and others.
“The goal is to design a robust and comprehensive pension system that benefits all stakeholders. The pension system is not just a financial mechanism, but a means to protect workers’ dignity and ensure income security in old age,” he said.
Mbulo added that the consultations were an opportunity to explore ways of empowering pensioners to make a positive impact, recognising their value and contributions to society.
Meanwhile, Parliamentary Committee on National Economy, Trade and Labour Matters Chairperson Sibeso Sefulo commended the Ministry for undertaking the reforms, saying they would benefit citizens even in remote areas.
Sefulo underscored the need for harmonisation to ensure that all pensioners, regardless of their scheme, are treated with dignity and entitled to similar benefits and conditions.
“We want to see a law which benefits everyone whether they are with NAPSA, PSPF, or LASF. This would promote fairness and equity among pensioners from different schemes,” she said.
WARNING! All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express permission from ZAMBIA MONITOR.
Comments