employees as a trade union shall be submitted to the Labour Commissioner. An application to register a group of employees as a trade union needs to be signed by not less than 50 supporters or such lesser number as may be prescribed by the Minister and shall be accompanied by: (a) two duly certified copies of the constitution of the proposed trade union; and (b) such other information or document as may be determined by the Labour Commissioner, by notice in writing addressed and delivered to the executive officer of the trade union, within such period as may be determined by the Labour Commissioner and specified in such notice. 270. According to Section 11 of the Act, trade unions in Zambia are free to join national federations. There are two national federations, namely, the Zambia Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) and the Federation of Free Trade Unions of Zambia (FFTUZ). There are no restrictions placed on any trade union that wishes to affiliate itself internationally. Strike action 271. Section 101 of the Act prohibits strike action unless taken in accordance with the Section as follows: “No employee, trade union or other person shall take part in a strike which: a) has not been authorized by a strike ballot taken in the manner provided by the constitution of a trade union under this Act; or b) is not in contemplation or furtherance of a collective dispute to which the employee or trade union is a party.” 114