Pay rise for mining sector workers
Workers in the mining sector have been awarded between 46% and 50% wage increase which will see the lowest employee earning ZWL$45 000 from ZWL$30 000 a month following a recent agreement between the Associated Miners Workers Union of Zimbabwe and the Chamber of Mines of Zimbabwe.
The highest paid will now earn about ZWL$104 000 from ZWL$71 000.
According to the National Employment Council (NEC) of Zimbabwe for the mining industry, the workers will also get a minimum portion of US$198 and US$460 respectively.
“This notice serves to bring to your attention that the following new minimum rates or pay grades 1-13 have been agreed upon in dual currency. This agreement carries an exemption Clause as stipulated in the Principal Agreement Statutory Instrument 152 of 1990 Clause. Non foreign currency generating companies upon being granted an exemption may be allowed to pay the United States dollar amount in Zimbabwe dollars equivalent using the official bank rate. Employers who are able to pay more than the NEC minimum are encouraged to do so,” NEC said.
The salary increment comes after the cost of living for a family of six increased by 25% to $72 967 to meet their basic needs according to the Consumer Council of Zimbabwe (CCZ).
The current cost of living implies that a family of six now requires US$300 using the current parallel market exchange rates per month to meet their monthly requirements or US$700 based on the official rate.
Revenue and together with agriculture the sector is expected to anchor economic growth this year.
