GOVERNMENT has gazetted a new Statutory Instrument for a Collective Bargaining Agreement which will see health workers in the private sector are to receive salaries in the range of USD273 to USD536.
By Kudakwashe Pembere
This CBA was between the Medical and Allied Industry, the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare, Medical Professionals and Allied Workers Union of Zimbabwe and Medical and Allied TradesWorkers Union of Zimbabwe being parties to the National Employment Council for the Medical and Allied Industry.
Previously they were earning between USD222 for the lowest paid and USD437 showing an increase of about USD50.
” IT is hereby notified that the Minister of Labour and Social Welfare has, in terms ofsection 80 of the Labour Act[Chapter 28:01], has approved publication of the Collective Bargaining Agreement set out in the Schedule, which was registered in terms of section 79 of the Labour Act [Chapter 28:01]:—,” read the SI 112 of 2022. “This further agreement, made and entered into in terms of the Labour Act [Chapter 28:01], to amend the Collective Bargaining Agreement: Medical and Allied Industry published in Statutory Instrument 93 of 2019, shall be read as one with the principle agreement between the Medical and Allied Employers Association of Zimbabwe(hereinafter referred to as the “employers” or “the employers’ organisation”), of the one part, and the Medical Professionals and Allied Workers Union of Zimbabwe and Medical and Allied Trades Workers Union of Zimbabwe (hereinafter jointly referred to as “the employees” or “the trade union”), of the other part, being parties to the National Employment Council for the Medical and Allied Industry.”
All parties agreed that every employer should not give employees salaries beneath the stipulated agreed amount
“The following was agreed and adopted.1. Notwithstanding the date of signature or publication hereof, this agreement shall be deemed to have come into operation on the 1st of March, 2022.
2. Every employer shall, with effect from 1st of March, 2022, pay each employee a wage not less than the appropriate amount specified in this agreement,” noted the SI.
Companies are also permitted to pay their workers in US dollars or Zimbabwean dollars.
“While these are general minimums for the industry, sectors with capacity and in a position to negotiate more for the period covered by this agreement are encouraged to do so.
“Wages remain indexed in United States Dollars(USD) payment of such wages will be paid in Zimbabwe Dollars using the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe exchange rate that would have prevailed in thelast week of the preceding month.
“Institutions that are receiving payment for services in foreign currencies and are permitted by law to make disbursements in foreign currency are allowed to pay wages/salaries in foreign currency and
also make appropriate remittances in foreign currency,” read the SI.
Employees earning higher than the currently gazetted salaries, read the SI, will not see any reduced salaries.
“An employee, who, at the date of commencement of this agreement, is in receipt of a higher wage or more favourable benefits for his or her particular occupation than the wage prescribed in terms of this agreement and benefits thereof, shall not by any reason of this agreement, suffer any reduction in his or her wage or benefits.
“The above are only minimums and employers who are already paying above stipulated minimums or those who can pay above the stated minimums may consider doing so depending on their capacity which position is advisable,” the SI read.
