Company manager arrested for obstructing labour inspectors from conducting lawful inspections

The General Manager of QEIGHT Trading and Construction Limited, Vincent Sambo, has been arrested by the Zambia Police Service for allegedly obstructing labour inspectors from performing their duties during a routine inspection.

The company is involved in logistics and employs a significant number of truck drivers.

According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Labour and Social Security on Thursday, the incident occurred on Monday when labour inspectors were reportedly hindered by Sambo, in violation of the Employment Code Act No. 3 of 2019 (ECA), particularly Sections 10 and 128.

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These sections grant the Labour Commissioner and authorised officers the authority to inspect workplaces to ensure compliance with Zambia’s labour laws.

Godfrida Chisala, the Ministry’s Public Relations Officer, highlighted that obstructing a labour inspector was a serious offence under the ECA, with penalties including a fine of up to two hundred thousand penalty units, imprisonment for up to two years, or both.

The obstruction allegedly took place in the presence of two union representatives from the Zambia Union of Tanker Drivers and Allied Workers (ZUTDAW) and the Zambia National Union of Drivers and Allied Workers (ZNUDAW), reflecting the collaborative effort to enforce labour regulations.

“The Ministry of Labour and Social Security promptly reported the obstruction to the Zambia Police Service, who acted swiftly, leading to Mr. Sambo’s arrest on Tuesday,” Chisala stated.

The Ministry condemned the obstruction and reminded employers that hindering labour inspectors was a grave offence under Zambian law.

Chisala also reassured the public that the Ministry recognized the challenges faced by truck drivers, especially those employed by companies that failed to meet their legal obligations.

To address this, the government had intensified labour inspections in the transport sector to educate employers about their responsibilities and to enforce compliance with the law.

“This initiative aims to promote adherence to labour regulations and protect the rights of workers across the sector,” she said.

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