Published: 18 hours ago

The Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) says the government's gazetted US$150 minimum wage is undermining collective bargaining processes and placing workers at a disadvantage during salary negotiations.

The national minimum wage, set at US$150 per month (or equivalent in ZiG), was established under Statutory Instrument 186 of 2024 and is currently the legal baseline across sectors.

Speaking at a ZCTU Collective Bargaining Conference this week, delegates said the statutory minimum has effectively become a ceiling rather than a floor, limiting upward wage negotiations in many industries.

One delegate said employers now argue that once workers earn the minimum wage, all legal obligations have been met, making it difficult for unions to push for higher salaries.

"Their argument is that once one reaches the minimum wage the legally set thresholds have been sufficed," the delegate said. "This defence line is now creating a burden which can only be rectified by a review of the minimum wage."

ZCTU secretary-general Tirivanhu Marimo urged affiliated unions to strengthen their preparation ahead of negotiations and ensure workers' interests remain central.

He said unions must be strategic and well-prepared when engaging employers, adding that the federation remains committed to supporting affiliates in achieving "decent work" through effective bargaining.

"We need to be well prepared and geared for negotiations while aware that we would be the lifeline for workers and their families' welfare," Marimo said.

He added that unions may need to adopt stronger measures where necessary to advance workers' interests, emphasising the importance of collective bargaining in maintaining union relevance.

The labour body is now pushing for an urgent review of the minimum wage framework, arguing that the current threshold is constraining negotiations and failing to reflect the cost of living.

ZCTU says a revised structure would restore flexibility in bargaining and allow wages to better align with economic realities across different sectors.
- online

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