Labour Research for Socio-Economic Justice
Evidence for Decent Work and Inclusive Development
The Zambia Institute for Labour Research and Development (ZILARD) is an independent, non-profit research and policy institute dedicated to advancing decent work, inclusive growth, and labour justice in Zambia. Explore our research and learn about our activities.
Who we are
An independent institute for labour research
Established in 2018, ZILARD provides evidence-based analysis, technical advice, and advocacy support to trade unions, government ministries, development agencies, and civil society organisations working to improve the conditions of work and livelihoods for Zambian workers.
Read more about ZILARD →To generate knowledge that empowers working people and shapes fairer economic policies, with a strong emphasis on applied research, participatory methodologies, and capacity building -- guided by social dialogue, labour rights, and democratic accountability.
Our expertise
Four thematic areas guide our work
Each area brings together research, engagement, and evidence aimed at fairer, safer, more inclusive work in Zambia.
Labour Market Research and Analysis
Employment dynamics, productivity, wages, and skills across Zambia's formal and informal sectors.
Learn more →Trade Union Support and Organising Strategies
Power-resource mapping, union capacity building, and organising precarious and informal workers.
Learn more →Labour Policy and Institutional Development
Technical input into labour legislation, social dialogue mechanisms, and sectoral bargaining.
Learn more →Youth Employment, Gender, and Informality
Youth transitions, gender gaps in employment, and strategies for formalising informal work.
Learn more →Featured research
Recent publications
Study on Rights of Persons with Disabilities in Working Life in Zambia
Research on employment barriers, discrimination, workplace accessibility, career development, and trade-union representation for persons with disabilities in Zambia, informing a pilot initiative on disability-inclusive working life.
Read publication →Trade Unions and Trade
Research examining continental free-trade agreements and informal employment in Zambia's manufacturing sector, focusing on informal workers' participation, representation, access to finance, labour rights, and social protection.
Read publication →Rights-Based Social Protection in Africa: Zambia Baseline Study
A baseline study mapping existing informal-economy structures in Zambia and assessing their specific needs, including social-protection options for informal workers such as market traders.
Read publication →Latest updates
News & events
SASK-supported programme (2026-2029) launched with ZILARD
ZANIS reported the launch of a Trade Union Solidarity Centre of Finland (SASK) programme for 2026-2029, focused on strengthening workers' rights, disability inclusion, workplace safety, and decent employment, with support from the Government of Finland.
Read more →Chongwe Municipal Council engages ZILARD on workplace accessibility
Chongwe Municipal Council reported a visit by ZILARD concerning disability inclusion and workplace accessibility, covering ramps, toilets, transport, communication, and inclusive attitudes towards workers with disabilities.
Read more →Collaboration
Working with our partners
Documented collaborations supporting our research and programmes.
University of Zambia (Department of Economics & Institute of Economic and Social Research)
Institutional partnership supporting ZILARD's research capacity and academic affiliation.
Zambia Statistics Agency (ZamStats)
Data alignment and methodology coordination.
Zambia Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU)
Institutional partnership; funded ZILARD's 2018 affiliate membership study and 2019 minimum-wage study.
Zambia Federation of Employers (ZFE)
Institutional partnership.
Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES)
Funded and hosted the 2020 informal-economy baseline study.
Trade Union Solidarity Centre of Finland (SASK)
Supported the 2021 trade-union research and commissioned the 2022-2023 disability-inclusion study.
ITUC-Africa
Cooperation on the 2021 Trade Unions and Trade research.
Solidarity Centre
Funded the 2023-2025 studies on Chinese investment, the Belt and Road Initiative, and the shop-steward organising tool.
Get in touch
Discuss research, institutional collaboration, or a general enquiry with the ZILARD team.
Contact Us