Disability / Work Injury Benefit
Work injuries are divided into four categories: (i) permanent total incapacity (ii) permanent partial incapacity (iii) temporary incapacity and (iv) fatal injury leading to death of a worker.
In the case of permanent incapacity/disability (100% disability), 50% of the monthly earnings when the disability began is paid. The maximum amount of monthly earning is 800 kwacha. Constant attendance allowance is paid if temporary disabled person requires constant attendance of others.
In case of permanent partial disability, i.e., the assessed degree of disability is more than 10%; the amount of pension is 50% of the covered monthly earnings multiplied by the assessed degree of disability. If the assessed degree of disability is less than 10%, worker is entitled to a lump sum payment.
In the case of temporary disability, i.e., when the assessed degree of disability is 10% or less, 50% of the monthly earnings when the disability began are paid up to 24 months, provided that the medical certificate is provided. The minimum and maximum benefits vary according to the assessed degree of disability. Maximum monthly earning may not increase 800.00 kwacha.
In the case of fatal injury, dependents (widow/widower, children) receive survivors' pension which is 80% of the permanent total disability pension a deceased worker would have received, if assessed with permanent total disability, is paid to the widow/disabled widower. The survivors' pension ceases on remarriage and a lump-sum of 24 months' pension is paid. 15% of the permanent total disability pension a deceased worker was entitled to receive is paid for each unmarried orphan younger than 18 years. For each additional orphan, 5% of pension is added and divided equally among them. The monthly pension can be paid up to 08 orphans and the maximum pension paid to orphans is 50% of the total pension. Law also provides for funeral grant.
Source: §65-86 of the Workers' Compensation Act, 1999; ISSA Country Profile Zambia, 2019
