The lowest-paid employee in the retail and wholesale subsectors will now earn US$331,00 in monthly salary following yet another successful Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) completed recently.
The retail and wholesale sector is a major anchor of Zimbabwe’s economy, contributing roughly 17% to 19% of the country’s total GDP and serving as a primary driver of employment.
In a recent circular, the National Employment Council (NEC) for the Commercial Sectors in Zimbabwe confirmed the new salary structures negotiated by the employees’ representatives, Commercial Workers Union of Zimbabwe (CWUZ) and the employers’ party.
“I hereby inform you that the CWUZ and the National Commercial Employers Association of Zimbabwe have completed wage negotiations for the Retail and Wholesale subsector for the period 01 March 2026 to 31 December 2026. The new wage structures shall come into effect from 1 st March 2026,” said the Circular.
The NEC said all percentage increases awarded to employees from 1st March 2026 may be taken into account when implementing the new percentage on condition that if the adjustment awarded falls short of the CBA-specified percentage, the affected employees shall receive further increases in the form of the difference between stipulated percentage increases and the percentage already awarded.
“All employees earning below US$608 shall pay a levy of 1%with the employer contributing the same amount. Those employees above US$608 shall pay a maximum levy of US$6, 08 with the employer paying the same amount,” the NEC added.
New Salary Structures.
ZiG Equivalent to be paid at the prevailing RBZ rate
| Grade | New Salary |
| 1 (a) | USD 331,00 |
| b | USD 342,00 |
| 2 | USD351,00 |
| 3 | USD365,00 |
| 4 | USD375,00 |
| 5 | USD389,00 |
| 6 | USD400,00 |
| 7 | USD441,00 |
| 8 | USD471,00 |
| 10 | USD504,00 |
| 11 | USD538,00 |
| 12 | USD608,00 |
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