The new agreement provides an increase in minimum wages across all grades. For Grade A1, the minimum gross wage rises from USD357 to USD369, representing a 3.36% increase, while the basic wage increases from USD284 to USD292, an increase of 2.81%. Similar adjustments apply to all grades up to Grade C4.
Workers also achieved improvements in allowances. The transport allowance increases from USD39 to USD42, while the housing allowance rises from USD34 to USD35. The agreement maintains the current payment arrangement of 70% in United States Dollars and 30% in ZiG, with the ZiG component payable at the prevailing RBZ exchange rate applicable at payroll cut-off.
The agreement further clarifies that transport allowances are payable only to employees who physically report for duty and are not payable during maternity or sick leave. Employees residing within a two-kilometre radius of their workplace are not entitled to transport allowance, while employers providing company housing are exempt from paying the housing allowance.
In addition, workers retained the USD2 night shift allowance, payable in USD only. Employees travelling on business also continue to receive a subsistence allowance of USD35, broken down into accommodation, meals and incidental expenses. All other conditions of service remain unchanged.
While the increases may not fully match the rising cost of living, the agreement demonstrates the importance of collective bargaining in protecting workers' incomes and improving employment conditions. The union has reaffirmed its commitment to continue engaging employers in pursuit of fair wages, decent work and improved living standards for all workers in the sector.