The National Employment Council (NEC) for the Mining Industry has released a new wage rates that will see minimum pay rates across all mining grades adjusted upward for the year 2025. The announcement follows successful negotiations between employee unions and the Chamber of Mines of Zimbabwe (CoMZ).
In a circular dated 17 April 2025 addressed to all mine managers, the NEC stated:
“The following new minimum rates of pay for grades 1-13 were agreed upon and pegged in US Dollars by Employees’ Party… and Employers’ Party… and will subsequently be sent to the Ministry of Labour and Social Services for registration and publication.”
New Wage Structure
Effective from 1 January 2025 to 31 December 2025, minimum wages will be implemented in two stages:
- From 1 January, with a 4% increase
- From 1 July, with a further 5% increase
The document reads:
“The basic minimum earnings payable to employees for the period 1 January 2025 to 31 December 2025 shall be as per the attached schedules.”
For example, Grade 1 workers will earn US$124.05 per month initially, rising to US$266.14 per month by July 2025.
Foreign currency-generating companies are expected to pay employees using a dual currency system, partly in US dollars and partly in Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG) at the prevailing Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) interbank rate.
Non-foreign currency-generating companies may be granted exemptions and allowed to pay entirely in ZiG equivalents.
The NEC circular states:
“Those employers who are able to pay more than the NEC minimums are encouraged to do so.”
Service-Based Salary Increments
The new agreement also provides additional wage increments based on employee length of service. According to the circular:
“Employees whose total length of service with the same employer exceeds two years or more will receive additional service increments, culminating in a 12% increase for those with 25 years of service.”
These service increments will be cumulative and will apply to basic earnings.
Compliance and Deadlines
Employers are urged to ensure that all statutory deductions, including contributions to the Mining Industry Pension Fund (MIPF) and NEC dues, are implemented and backdated to 1 January 2025.
Payments and returns must reach NEC offices by the 15th of the month following the month of deduction, as stipulated in the document.
“Remittances to the NEC and Trade Unions shall be paid using a dual currency system which resonates with the actual wages earned by the employees,” the council emphasized.
Get the full document of the RATES OF PAY FOR THE PERIOD 1 JANUARY 2025 TO 31 DECEMBER 2025
