By Own Correspondent  

THE National Employment Council (NEC) for the Food and Allied Industries, Meat, Fish, Poultry Abattoir and Meat Processing Sub-sector has approved an 18% salary increase across the board which will go some way in cushioning workers from the economic shocks.

The new salary structures will see workers’ salaries in US$ terms ranging from US$314 to a high of US$426.

The lowest grade A1 will now be taking home US$341 or in local currency equivalency a basic salary of ZW$140 000, Housing allowance ZW$28 000, transport ZW$24 334 and grand total ZW$192 334.

Those in Grade A2 will be earning US$321 or ZW$196 830, Grade A3 US$330 or ZW$202 457.

Middle level grades like  B1 will be taking home  US$341 or ZW$209 193 while top  grades like  C1 will be taking home  US$388 or ZW$237 850 with the highest grade C4  earning  US$426 or ZW$261 434.

“Night shifts allowance has been pegged at US$2 payable in ZWL using the rate used for wages, taking effect from 1 November 2022. Transport allowance has been pegged at US$40 payable in ZWL and will be paid to an employer who has reported for duty weekly,” the CBA said.

The sector however said payments of such benefits will not apply to workers on maternity and sick leave.

“The employer shall pay transport costs for the days worked by the employee outside normal working 22 days i.e. weekends and public holidays. Housing allowance has been pegged at US$46 payable at the prevailing ZWL rate.

“Employers providing housing within the company premises shall be exempt   from the transport allowance.

“US$ agreement shall not be binding in the event of any future currency changes,” the CBA added.