It is mandated to lead in the formulation and implementation of national employment, labour, and social security policy.

The ministry is also responsible in monitoring national productivity, occupational safety and health, and relations between employees and their employers.

[2] The ministry is headed by Minister of Labour and Social Security, currently Brenda Mwika Tambatamba.

[3] The headquarters of the MLSS are located in the New Government Complex in the Cathedral Hill neighborhood of the city of Lusaka, the capital of Zambia.

[5] MLSS is divided into the following administrative departments:[6] Since 2007, the government has had a national security scheme for seniors aged 60 years and older.