Zimbabwe Building Societies Workers to Earn $660 Minimum After New Wage Deal

Employees in Zimbabwe's building societies sector are set to receive substantial wage increases following the finalization of a new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). The Commercial Workers Union of Zimbabwe (CWUZ) successfully negotiated the deal with the National Commercial Employers Association of Zimbabwe, benefiting non-managerial staff.

Under the new salary structure, the lowest-paid employees in Grade 1(a) will earn US$660 monthly starting January 1, 2026. Workers in middle grades will also see significant raises, with those in Grades 5 and 6 earning between US$776 and US$796. Employees in the highest salary bands, Grades 10 and 11, will receive US$1,004 and US$1,074 respectively.

Given Chibaya, General Secretary of the National Employment Council (NEC) for the Commercial Sectors of Zimbabwe, announced that the salary adjustments are effective from January 1, 2026. He clarified that any percentage increases already awarded to employees from that date will be considered, with affected workers receiving further increases if the existing adjustment falls short of the CBA's specified percentage.

The agreement also introduces a new levy structure. From January 1, 2026, to July 31, 2026, employees earning below US$1,214 will pay a 1% levy, matched by their employer. Those earning above US$1,214 will pay a maximum levy of US$12.14, also matched by the employer. The new salary scales aim to improve earnings across the sector amid ongoing calls for better remuneration in Zimbabwe's formal labor market.

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All percentage increases awarded to employees from 1st of January 2026 may be taken into account when implementing the new percentage on condition that, if the adjustment awarded falls short of the CBA's specified percentage. "The affected employees shall receive further increases in the form of the difference between the stipulated percentage increases and the percentage already awarded