Zimbabwe has raised the minimum monthly wage for domestic workers to $90, marking the first major revision of the sector’s wage structure in recent years as the government seeks to improve labour protections and provide greater income security for vulnerable workers. The new wage framework, approved by Cabinet and effective immediately, forms part of a broader review of employment conditions for domestic workers and employees in unclassified operations. Government officials said the adjustments were made following recommendations from the tripartite Wages and Salaries Advisory Council (WASC), which includes representatives from labour, business, and government.
Under the revised structure, yard workers and gardeners will earn a minimum of $90 per month, while cooks and housekeepers will receive at least $99. Child minders and carers for the elderly or persons living with disabilities will earn a minimum of $108, while certified caregivers holding a Red Cross qualification will receive at least $117 per month. The government also approved a minimum wage of $270, payable in local currency, for workers in unclassified operations not covered by sector-specific employment councils.
According to the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare, the review was conducted under provisions of Zimbabwe’s Labour Act and aims to provide a clearer wage framework for employers and employees. The move comes as policymakers continue to grapple with the effects of inflation, currency volatility, and rising living costs that have placed pressure on household incomes. Labour market experts note that Zimbabwe’s wage-setting system remains largely sector-based, with minimum pay levels negotiated through various industry councils rather than a single nationwide minimum wage.
For Zimbabwe’s labour market, the wage increase signals a renewed focus on formalising employment standards and improving conditions for domestic workers, one of the country’s largest sources of informal employment. Herald Zimbabwe says the revised framework could help strengthen worker protections and provide greater certainty for employers while supporting broader efforts to improve labour market regulation. As economic reforms continue, the effectiveness of the new wage structure will likely be measured by its impact on worker welfare, compliance levels, and employment sustainability across the sector.
