By Own Correspondent

THE latest Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) reached in the mining industry has exempted non-US$ generating firms from honouring their salary obligations on a 50-50 scale mix with the Zim$ in a development likely to be abused by errant employers avoiding decent salary increases.

A circular signed between the Associated Mine Workers Union of Zimbabwe and the Chamber of Mines of Zimbabwe effected a 78,4% pay rise

Under the new arrangement, the lowest paid employee will get a foreign currency component of US$199 and $74 700 in local currency while the highest paid employee will get US$461,56 and $173 255,58.

The circular says companies shall pay the new minimum wages in both United States dollars and Zim$ portions with the new minimum wages at the signing of the agreement being maintained in their fixed nominal values until the next wage review.

“Non-foreign currency generating companies are excluded from the requirement to pay in dual currency and shall pay the new monthly Zimbabwe dollar minimum wages as provided for above,” the agreement said.

However, labour experts have warned that such opaqueness and open ended ness of a CBA carries a very high risk of being abused and may lead to the short-changing of workers.

The new agreement will see the lowest paid employee in the sector earning $166 000 per month.

Prior to the increases, the lowest paid employee in the mining sector was earning $93 074, while the highest was $215 872 per month.

With the latest adjustment, the highest paid employee will now be getting $385 012.