Zambia Launches HIV Workplace Policies, Urges Private Sector to Fill Funding Gaps

In a milestone effort to curb the impact of HIV and AIDS across all segments of the workforce—especially within the informal sector—the Government of Zambia has officially launched two new national policy documents focused on HIV responses in the world of work. Supported by the International Labour Organization (ILO), the launch event took place at the Government Complex in Lusaka, drawing participation from senior government officials, trade unions, private sector leaders, and development partners.

The launch included the formal unveiling of two key documents:

1. HIV and AIDS Guidelines for the Informal Economy

2. Private Sector Engagement Strategy on HIV and AIDS

These policy tools are aimed at integrating HIV prevention and support mechanisms into workplace frameworks, with a strong focus on inclusion, equity, and resilience in the face of shrinking donor aid.

Government Commitment Despite Declining Donor Support

Labour Commissioner Mr. Givens Muntengwa, speaking on behalf of Labour and Social Security Minister Mrs. Brenda Tambatamba, reaffirmed the government’s determination to intensify HIV and AIDS interventions. His remarks also expressed concern about a recent decline in donor funding, particularly from the United States, which has historically been one of Zambia’s key supporters in health and HIV programming.

“The reduction in donor support is alarming,” Mr. Muntengwa stated. “We now call upon the private sector to step up and support implementation efforts that safeguard workers—especially those in the informal economy, who remain disproportionately affected.”

He extended appreciation to the ILO for its technical support in crafting the newly launched policy documents and for its longstanding advocacy in aligning labour frameworks with health and human rights.

ILO’s Call for Integration into Labour and Social Protection

Representing the ILO Country Office, Mr. Jie Yu Koh, Social Protection Manager, reiterated the organization’s ongoing commitment to inclusive and sustainable development. He called on the Zambian government to fully integrate HIV responses into labour market regulations and social protection schemes.

“These guidelines reflect our shared goal: to reduce the impact of HIV on workers, promote fairness, and protect dignity in every workplace,” Koh said. He also highlighted ILO-backed interventions supporting youth, informal workers, and people living with HIV, including vocational training, climate-smart agriculture, and financial assistance programs.

Koh emphasized that combating HIV is not just a health issue but a matter of economic resilience and human development, especially in countries with large informal employment sectors like Zambia.

Zambian Employers and Workers Join the Call to Action

At the event, Mr. Harrington Chibanda, Executive Director of the Zambia Federation of Employers (ZFE), urged increased collaboration between government and the business community to tackle HIV, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and tuberculosis (TB) in the workplace.

“We must expand access to care without overburdening patients,” Chibanda said. “ZFE will ensure that these new policy tools are disseminated to our members and that the private sector plays an active role in implementing them.”

In her remarks, Mrs. Catherine Kantumoya, Deputy Secretary General of the Zambia Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU), applauded the partnership model promoted by the policy documents.

“This is a significant step forward. These tools will improve worker protections, promote decent work, and contribute to economic growth, particularly by empowering vulnerable groups,” she said.

Sustaining Progress in the Fight Against HIV

UNAIDS Country Director Mr. Isaac Ahemesah welcomed the policy launch, commending Zambia’s strong performance in surpassing the global 95-95-95 HIV targets—a benchmark representing the proportion of people living with HIV who know their status, are on treatment, and have suppressed viral loads.

“The challenge now is to sustain these gains, particularly in light of funding constraints. The business community must come forward—not just as funders, but as active partners in resilience building,” Ahemesah noted.

He urged greater investment in workplace HIV programs, which not only protect individual health but also preserve productivity, support families, and reduce the long-term costs of illness and absenteeism in both the formal and informal economies.

Inclusive Workplace Health for a Resilient Economy

Zambia’s informal sector employs over 80% of the country’s workforce, making it a vital target for health interventions. The HIV and AIDS Guidelines for the Informal Economy aim to bring health education, prevention services, and workplace protections to market vendors, domestic workers, transport operators, and others often excluded from national health programming.

The Private Sector Engagement Strategy, meanwhile, sets forth a roadmap to enhance corporate involvement in workplace HIV responses through:

• Policy alignment with national health priorities

• Public-private partnerships for service delivery

• Support for workplace wellness programs

• Resource mobilization for HIV-related investments

The launch of these policies not only reflects Zambia’s leadership in the region but also reinforces the idea that health and labour rights are inseparable components of inclusive economic development.