Labour Minister Nyambose orders monthly performance targets and surprise inspections at ministry offices

Labour and Social Security Minister Misheck Nyambose has told staff in his ministry that poor performance and weak accountability will no longer be tolerated, and has ordered management to introduce monthly performance targets. He spoke to ministry staff in Lusaka on Thursday 5 November. He said monthly performance reports will track individual officers, departments and provincial offices. Heads of departments and provincial officials must set clear targets and regularly account for what they do, so management can see where the gaps are. The rule applies to officers at headquarters and in the provinces alike. Mr Nyambose said he will make unannounced visits to ministry offices and workplaces to check whether officers are doing their duties, and that the visits are meant to find out whether staff contribute to national development or simply report for work and leave, and not to victimise anyone. ## What he told staff Mr Nyambose said the targets of the Grow Zambia Agenda are non-negotiable, and described labour as a key driver of the country's economic transformation. He said he wants staff to be productive and not just present, and urged them to change their mindset with the words "Change now before you are changed." He also said he will not tolerate corruption under his leadership and urged officers to uphold integrity, transparency and professionalism at work and outside it, because their conduct should reflect the values of public service. ## Background The Grow Zambia Agenda is the Government's programme for the new term. Its targets by 2031 include 3 million tonnes of copper a year, 10 million tonnes of maize a year, 10,000 megawatts of electricity generation capacity and 5 million tourist arrivals. Social protection was allocated K15.7 billion in the 2026 national budget. ## Why it matters The Ministry of Labour and Social Security is where workers and employers take labour questions, so how quickly and honestly its officers act affects people who have