Gov’t Up to Date with Retiree Payments, President Hichilema
President Hakainde Hichilema has reaffirmed the Government’s unwavering commitment to social justice, announcing that Zambia is now up to date with the payment of retirement benefits to public service retirees.
Speaking during the official launch of the Invest in Zambia International Conference, President Hichilema described the development as a major stride in restoring dignity to those who served the nation.
“We are now near current on paying retirement benefits for those that worked for Government,” he said. “Our retirees deserve dignity after years of service, and clearing these dues is part of our broader commitment to social protection.”
The President emphasized that fulfilling pension obligations is aligned with the Government’s wider agenda of economic inclusivity and social accountability. He noted that this progress is being matched with efforts to strengthen the country’s labour force and enhance job creation.
President Hichilema highlighted the importance of attracting both capital and skilled labour to drive industrialisation and national development. He urged investors to bring in “fairly priced capital” and cutting-edge technology—not outdated or substandard solutions, stressing that technology must support value addition and make businesses viable in order to create sustainable employment.
“We are encouraging our investors to bring in capital, fairly priced capital. Bring in appropriate technology, not second fiddle technology. The right technology supports industrialisation and value addition. If businesses are not viable, we cannot create the jobs we want,” the President said.
He further clarified the Government’s position on the importation of critical skills, noting that it is not meant to displace Zambian workers but to enhance knowledge transfer and job creation. “We are not bringing in skills to take away jobs from Zambians, but to transfer knowledge. If we have to import skills to create more jobs, we will do so.”
President Hichilema lamented the loss of skilled trades such as plumbing and carpentry over the years, and called for a stronger focus on vocational and technical training to equip Zambians with practical skills that meet the demands of the economy. “Skills training should address the needs of the economy. We must be able to produce craftspeople,” he added.
The Invest in Zambia International Conference brought together government officials, local and foreign investors, and development partners to explore strategies for enhancing Zambia’s investment climate, industrial competitiveness, and sustainable economic growth.
