Wage increase for farm workers
THE National Employment Council for the Agricultural Industry in Zimbabwe (NECAIZ) has approved wage increase for farm workers of between $550 to $1 100 depending on the grade.
A circular in position of Sunday News Business reveals that social partners constituting the NECAIZ agreed on a minimum wage of $550 for the lowest paid farm worker in Grade A and $1 100 for the highest paid in Grade C2 in the general agriculture sector with effect from 1 February, an increase of 52,78 percent.
Prior to the increase a Grade A was being paid a minimum wage of $360 per month while those in Grade C2 were getting $720.
Grade A comprises those that perform menial jobs such as ablution or sanitation worker balers, carcass washers, crop attendants, gardeners, general hand among others while those in Grade C2 comprise of estate head clerk, maintenance operative five or all trades tested (Class 1) and senior maintenance operative.
Zimbabwe Commercial Farmers’ Union vicepresident Mr Winston Babbage confirmed the farm workers’ salary increase but was quick to hint that most farmers might struggle to pay due to lack of productivity at most agricultural enterprises across the country.
“The wages are fair but let’s hope the farmers will be able to produce and for them to produce, it means the workers have to work harder to ensure the farms are productive. If the workers are productive and work with minimum supervision, farmers can achieve their set targets. As it is now there is inactivity or less activity at most of the farms, largely due to drought and thus most farmers might find it difficult to pay salaries,” he said.
The law stipulates that farm workers and employers are supposed to agree and have a collective bargaining of wages.
NECAIZ noted that an establishment or employees may apply to the Nec within 14 days for an exemption or partial exemption or review from paying the prescribed wages stating the reasons why that application should be considered. Farm workers in Zimbabwe are said to be victims of “modern slavery” due to the low wages they are given.