THE WORLD OF WORK
Traditionally, people in Zambia farmed, fished and raised cattle. In the 1880s, working life changed when the British South Africa Company arrived. The company taxed all local families. Because people needed money to pay the tax, they had to leave the countryside to work in the mines. Cities began to spring up, mainly in the Copperbelt, and agriculture started to decline. 

Nevertheless, most of Zambia's working people still farm for a living, growing crops such as maize, sorghum and cassava. They often sell some of their produce in the market. Zambian farmers also grow soybeans, millet, sunflower seeds, vegetables and fruit. Export crops such as sugar cane, flowers, tobacco, cotton, maize and groundnuts (peanuts) are grown on large commercial farms. These large farms, which use irrigation, produce almost half of the country's crops. According to some estimates, Zambia is using less than 20% of its arable land.

 Since the 1920s, copper has shaped Zambia's economy. The country depends on copper exports for most of its foreign exchange. However, restructuring in the copper industry has led to unemployment, and the government wants to create jobs in new industries. Zambia is now a leading producer of cobalt. Emeralds are another export commodity.
 
 
  Did you know?
Zambia is one of the world's largest exporters of roses. It can grow them throughout the year and sell them for a low price. The demand for roses within Zambia is low, as it is not customary for Zambians to give each other flowers.
Tourism is a growing industry. The national parks, filled with diverse wildlife, attract many visitors each year. Poaching has devastated some of the animal populations, especially those of the black rhino and the elephant. Conservationists hope that tourism will help bring an end to this practice.

 Under statutory law, Zambian women enjoy full equality in the workplace. Their opportunities in the working world have increased. Some women have important jobs in government and the justice system. Others run successful independent businesses.
Many workers belong to trade unions. In 1949, miners in the Copperbelt united to create the African Mineworkers Union. This organization helped to achieve independence for Zambia. Today, the Zambia Congress of Trade Unions includes 18 different unions and about 400,000 members. Frederick Chiluba, Zambia's president, is a past leader of this association.