All about Employment Agencies in Zambia, How to Find Work using an Employment Agency, How to Register an Employment Agency, How Employment Agencies Work and more on Mywage Zambia.
What is an Employment Agency?
It is an organisation which matches employers to employees.
How do you find such an agency?
Look for companies on the internet, in telephone books and in newspapers and trade magazines.
How do you make contact?
Telephone or email to make an appointment to meet with the company.
What will they expect?
You need to explain to the agency what it is that you are skilled at, and what sort of job you are looking for. You will need to have a CV and details of any previous work experience, including any recommendations from previous employees. The agency needs to know what you can do, and what kind of work you would like to get.
What happens then?
The agency will try and place you in a job which matches both your requirements, and your potential employer’s requirements. This usually involves sending on your CV to prospective employers, and possibly setting up interviews.
If a job is secured, who pays the agency, the prospective employer or employee?
The prospective employer. Section 59 (I) of the Employment Act on Employment Agencies, states:
- An employment agency shall charge a prospective employer such fees as may be agreed between them.
- The employment agency shall not charge the prospective employee for any services rendered.
Do you need a licence to operate an employment agency?
Yes. According to Part VIII of the Employment Act, it is an offence to operate an employment agency without a licence from the Labor Commissioner.
Any person who engages in or assists a person engaged in recruiting persons without a licence shall be guilty of an offence, and on conviction shall be liable to a fine or to imprisonment for a period of two years or to both.
How to ensure you are operating within the boundaries of the law:
An application for the grant or renewal of a licence shall be made to the labour commissioner in such form as may be prescribed and the commissioner may on receipt of such application, grant or renew a licence subject to such terms and conditions as he may consider necessary.
If successful, a licence issued under the provisions of this section shall continue to be in force until the 31st December following the date of issue. Provided that where a licence is granted in respect of any period after 30th June in any year, the fee in respect of such licence shall be one-half of the fee so prescribed.
The labour commissioner shall in the same vein inform the person whose application forthe grant or renewal of a licence has been refused, or whose licence has been suspended or cancelled, of the reasons for such refusal, suspension or cancellation.
What to do if your application has been rejected or licence has been cancelled:
Being the holder of a licence, the aggrieved may, within thirty days of being notified by the labour commissioner’s decision, appeal to the court and the court, in deciding the appeal, shall have and may exercise the same powers and discretions as the commissioner.
Read more
Find out more about Decent Work in Zambia, and about Minimum Wages in Zambia.