'Call to protect workers' rights in Zambia’s mineral sector’ 8 April 2025

Research findings are concluding that in the absence of strict adherence to international labour standards and national labour laws, the critical transition minerals boom in Zambia runs the risk of increasing workers’ rights violations and environmental degradation. The research entitled the impact of foreign direct investment on labour and trade union rights in Zambia’s critical minerals sector was conducted by Sekondi Consult.

With rich critical minerals deposits being found in the Copperbelt and other areas, trade unions fear that without compliance the minerals rush threatens gains made through collective bargaining and social dialogue. The minerals, which include copper, cobalt, lithium, tin, graphite, coltan, manganese and rare earth elements used in the manufacturing of renewable energy systems, electric vehicle batteries and energy storage solutions, have attracted investors from Canada, China, India, United Arab Emirates, the USA and other countries. Local investors and state-owned companies are also involved.

…The research recommended that the critical minerals sector should promote decent work: fundamental rights at work, occupational health and safety, job creation, job protection, social protection and maternity protection. On gender equality, there were calls to amend existing labour laws to allow women to be employed as miners using a quota system. Thelma Nkowani, vice chairperson of the Women in Extractive Industry, Trade and Value Addition Association of Zambia dismissed stereotypes that mining was only for men: “Women in mining are efficient, they work to the best of their ability.”