LS220 Assignment 1

Copperbelt University
School Of Law
Chishimba Greeson Lungu
LS220 /Employment and Labour Law
[Chisanga Mutale]
21st November 2023
Assignment 1
Employment and labour laws have evolved significantly over time due to various
changes in society, economy, and technology. These changes have had a profound
impact on the rights and obligations of employers and employees, as well as on the
overall structure of the labour market. This comprehensive analysis will examine the
most relevant changes that have influenced the evolution of employment and labour
law in the past, present, and future, along with their consequences for employment
and labour.
Past Changes
The British Health and Morals of Apprentices Act of 1802, also known as the Factory
Act of 1802, was a significant landmark in the development of modern labour law.
This act was one of the first legislative attempts to regulate the conditions of
industrial employment and protect the welfare of workers, particularly young
apprentices, in the burgeoning factories of the Industrial Revolution. In 1815, Zürich
and, subsequently, France in 1841, enacted legislation to safeguard the rights of
young individuals. This commitment to protecting the younger population was
echoed in 1848 when the citizens' assembly, known as the Landsgemeinde, in the
Swiss canton of Glarus, introduced the first legal restriction on the working hours of
adults. The National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) of 1935, commonly known as the
Wagner Act, was a landmark legislation in the United States that significantly
impacted unionism and labour relations. In addition, the formation of the International
Labour Organisation (ILO) in 1919, as an integral component of the Treaty of
Versailles, marks a pivotal moment in the advancement of global labour law.
Operating as a specialised agency under the United Nations, the ILO is entrusted
with the mission of championing social justice and universally acknowledged human
and labour rights. Throughout its existence, the ILO has played a crucial role in
moulding labour laws and setting standards, impacting policy decisions, and
nurturing a collaborative dialogue involving governments, employers, and workers
(wilfred,2023). As a member of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and an
active participant in international trade agreements, Zambia is subject to global
labour standards. The development of Zambia's labour and employment laws has
been significantly shaped by the legal frameworks inherited from its colonial rulers,
the British. However, post-independence, notable reforms were implemented. One
such reform was the 1965 Employment Act, which introduced fundamental
employment conditions, including provisions related to housing allowances, working
hours, work schedules, and entitlements to leave(Mbolela,2021).
Present Changes
The increasing interconnectedness of economies through globalisation has had a
profound impact on employment and labour law. Globalisation has facilitated the
movement of capital, goods, services, and labour across borders, leading to new
challenges in regulating international employment relationships. International trade
agreements often include provisions related to labour standards and protection. The
rapid advancement of technology, particularly in the digital age, has transformed the
nature of work and created new employment relationships. The rise of the gig
economy, characterised by short-term contracts and freelance work facilitated by
online platforms, has raised questions about the classification of workers and their
entitlement to employment benefits. Additionally, automation and artificial intelligence
have led to concerns about job displacement and the need for retraining and
upskilling. Changing demographics, such as an ageing population and increased
workforce diversity, have influenced employment and labour laws. Governments
have implemented measures to address issues related to age discrimination, gender
pay gaps, and workplace accommodations for individuals with disabilities. Family-
friendly policies, such as parental leave and flexible working arrangements, have
also been introduced to accommodate changing societal
expectations(mckinsey,2018).
Future Changes
The continued development of automation and artificial intelligence is expected to
reshape the labour market significantly. While automation can lead to increased
productivity and efficiency, it may also result in job displacement. Employment and
labour laws may need to address issues such as retraining programs, income
support during transitions, and potential ethical considerations surrounding AI use in
the workplace. As societal attitudes towards work-life balance evolve, there may be a
greater emphasis on flexible working arrangements and alternative forms of
employment. Employment laws may need to adapt to accommodate non-traditional

work arrangements, such as remote work or compressed workweeks. Additionally,
there may be a need for regulations addressing digital privacy and cybersecurity
concerns in the context of remote work (CCH,2020).
Consequences for Employment and Labor
Past changes in employment and labour law, driven by labour movements and social
welfare reforms, have led to improved worker protections. These include regulations
addressing workplace safety, minimum wage standards, overtime pay, and
protection against discrimination. Such protections aim to ensure fair treatment and
prevent exploitation. Employers now have increased responsibilities to comply with
labour laws, including providing a safe work environment, fair compensation, and
respecting workers’ rights to organise and bargain collectively. Failure to meet these
obligations can result in legal consequences, such as fines or lawsuits
In Conclusion, the development of employment and labour laws has undergone
notable transformations over the course of history, spurred by diverse societal,
economic, and technological shifts. Historical amendments were instigated by the
advent of industrialization, the emergence of labour movements, and initiatives in
social welfare reforms. Present-day alterations are markedly influenced by the forces
of globalisation, advancements in technology, and demographic transitions.
Projections for future changes anticipate the impact of climate change, automation,
and shifting expectations regarding the work-life dynamic. These legal evolutions
carry substantial implications for both employers and employees, encompassing
heightened safeguards for workers, augmented responsibilities for employers,
evolving structures of employment relationships, and the imperative to navigate
forthcoming challenges.
References
Mbolela(2021), Employment Law Notes
Retrieved from
https://www.studocu.com/row/document/university-of-zambia/employment-law/
employment-law-notes/53602541
Schregle, J. and Jenks, . C. Wilfred (2023, November 6). labour law. Encyclopedia
Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/labour-law
Mckinsey Global Institute(2018)The Changing Nature of Work: A Review of the
Evidence
A Global Guide” by CCH Incorporated (2020), Employment and Labor Laws
Statutes
1965 Employment Act

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Copperbelt University

Chishimba Greeson Lungu

LS220 /Employment and Labour Law

21st November 2023

industrial employment and protect the welfare of workers, particularly young

apprentices, in the burgeoning factories of the Industrial Revolution. In 1815, Zürich

and, subsequently, France in 1841, enacted legislation to safeguard the rights of

young individuals. This commitment to protecting the younger population was

Labour Organisation (ILO) in 1919, as an integral component of the Treaty of

Versailles, marks a pivotal moment in the advancement of global labour law.

nurturing a collaborative dialogue involving governments, employers, and workers

(wilfred,2023). As a member of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and an

active participant in international trade agreements, Zambia is subject to global

the British. However, post-independence, notable reforms were implemented. One

employment conditions, including provisions related to housing allowances, working

hours, work schedules, and entitlements to leave(Mbolela,2021).

The increasing interconnectedness of economies through globalisation has had a

challenges in regulating international employment relationships. International trade

entitlement to employment benefits. Additionally, automation and artificial intelligence

upskilling. Changing demographics, such as an ageing population and increased

workforce diversity, have influenced employment and labour laws. Governments

have implemented measures to address issues related to age discrimination, gender

also been introduced to accommodate changing societal

The continued development of automation and artificial intelligence is expected to

support during transitions, and potential ethical considerations surrounding AI use in

greater emphasis on flexible working arrangements and alternative forms of

employment. Employment laws may need to adapt to accommodate non-traditional

concerns in the context of remote work (CCH,2020).

Consequences for Employment and Labor

addressing workplace safety, minimum wage standards, overtime pay, and

prevent exploitation. Employers now have increased responsibilities to comply with

obligations can result in legal consequences, such as fines or lawsuits

In Conclusion, the development of employment and labour laws has undergone

notable transformations over the course of history, spurred by diverse societal,

economic, and technological shifts. Historical amendments were instigated by the

advent of industrialization, the emergence of labour movements, and initiatives in

of globalisation, advancements in technology, and demographic transitions.

heightened safeguards for workers, augmented responsibilities for employers,

evolving structures of employment relationships, and the imperative to navigate

Mbolela(2021), Employment Law Notes

Mckinsey Global Institute(2018)The Changing Nature of Work: A Review of the

A Global Guide” by CCH Incorporated (2020), Employment and Labor Laws

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