adminThe development came after an agreement signed last week between the General Agricultural and Plantation Workers’ Union of Zimbabwe (Gapwuz) and farmer organisations.
The farmer organisations that agreed to the new wages are the Zimbabwe Commercial Farmers Union, Zimbabwe Farmers Union, Commercial Farmers Union, Zimbabwe Tobacco Assocation and the Zimbabwe Agricultural Employers Organisation.
“An employer can apply to the National Employment Council within 14 days for an exemption or partial exemption from paying wages as set up in the above schedule, stating the reasons why that application should be considered,” read the Statutory Instrument.
Another Statutory Instrument in the same Government Gazette indicated that workers in the kapenta industry would now earn a minimum wage of US$120, while the highest paid worker would get US$240.
Those in the tobacco grading sector would earn a minimum wage of US$190.
The new wages for the tobacco graders were agreed between the Grading Employers’ Association and the Zimbabwe Tobacco Industrial Workers’ Union.
Gapwuz secretary general Mr Gift Muti said the wages were still low.
“The wages are very low for farm workers,” he said.
“The money can only provide food, but what about shelter and clothing? With the cost of living as it is in this country, the wages are very low.”
The wages are still far below the poverty datum line which is estimated at almost US$600.
Online Reporter