ZCTU pushes for pro-worker fiscal measures in 2026 Budget

As Zambia navigates its path toward economic recovery, the Zambia Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) is urging the government to broaden fiscal space in the upcoming 2026 National Budget with a strong emphasis on job creation, social protection, and improved public services.

Speaking during the ZCTU-Friedrich Ebert Stiftung Pre-Budget Workshop held in Lusaka, ZCTU General Secretary Joy Beene has emphasized the need for practical fiscal measures that respond to the daily realities of Zambian workers.

“Despite the gains from debt restructuring, workers have not seen any meaningful tax relief. The 2024 budget offered no tax concessions even as workers continue to carry a heavy tax burden,” Mr. Beene said.

He has stressed the importance of re-examining Pay-As-You-Earn (PAYE) structures, urging government to strike a fair balance that prioritizes the needs of ordinary citizens.

The workshop, attended by various labour leaders, economists, and civil society representatives, aimed to assess Zambia’s current economic challenges and craft well-informed recommendations for submission to the Ministry of Finance ahead of the 2026 budget formulation.

Mr. Beene has noted that while Zambia has made strides in restructuring its external debt, the cost of living remains unsustainably high, worsened by regular fuel price adjustments and increasing electricity tariffs.

“These rising costs have continued to erode the real incomes of workers, despite the country's progress in managing its debt,” he said.

He has also emphasized the union’s commitment to working collaboratively with government and civil society organizations to shape an economy that responds to the aspirations of its people especially those in formal employment.

Adding to the discussion, Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (FES) Resident Representative Fritz Kopsieker has highlighted the critical role trade unions must play in shaping national development priorities.

“The national budget is where governments set their true priorities. It is vital that the voice of workers through their unions is heard loud and clear in these processes,” Mr. Kopsieker said.

He has expressed concern that trade unions are often sidelined during key investor negotiations, despite being a major stakeholder group representing the workforce.

Mr. Kopsieker has further encouraged unions to push harder for the creation of decent jobs, while also taking an active role in broader economic and policy discussions not just wage negotiations.

As the Ministry of Finance gears up to shape the 2026 National Budget, the voices from this workshop send a clear message that Zambia’s workers are not just spectators  they are central to the country’s economic future.

With rising costs of living and persistent inequality, unions like ZCTU are calling for a budget that delivers more than numbers but hope, fairness, and opportunity.

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