'Condemnation to Slavery': Domestic Workers Union Slams Zimbabwe's New Minimum Wage

Zimbabwe's domestic workers are facing "poverty wages" following the government's approval of revised minimum wages, according to the Zimbabwe Domestic and Allied Workers Union (ZDAWU). The union has strongly condemned the new rates, describing them as a "condemnation to slavery" and a profound humiliation for workers.

Effective June 16, 2026, the lowest-paid domestic workers will receive a minimum of US$90 per month. Other domestic staff, including cooks and housekeepers, will earn at least US$99, while childminders and caregivers for the elderly or disabled will earn a minimum of US$108. Those with specialized qualifications, such as a Red Cross certificate for caregivers, will see a minimum wage of US$117 per month. Workers in unclassified operations will earn a higher minimum of US$270.

ZDAWU Deputy General Secretary Toindepi Dhure stated that the wage review "exposes the urgent need for the sector to establish a National Employment Council (NEC)" to comprehensively address labor issues. The union argues that the new wages fail to account for the country's harsh economic conditions and do not reflect the dignity of domestic workers.

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This is a condemnation to slavery. These are not wages, but a price tag on domestic workers' dignity. Domestic workers reject this humiliation.