The Zimbabwe Urban Council Workers Union (ZUCWU) has written to all urban councils demanding an upward review of the current $2 549 minimum basic salaries to $7 426.
In a letter dated June 15 and addressed to mayors, town clerks and local board secretaries, ZUCWU general-secretary Kudakwashe Munengiwa said the $2 549 set by the government as the minimum wage in April was no longer adequate due to inflation. Munengiwa wrote:
While SI 81 of 2020 which set the minimum wage at ZW$2 549,74 was a noble gesture from government, it has since been taken over by events.
According to the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency, the poverty datum line (PDL) increased to ZW$7 426 in April.
We are, therefore, against that background requesting for an urgent review of salaries in line with the prevailing inflation trends or alternatively pegging the same in hard currency.
Urban Councils’ Association of Zimbabwe (UCAZ) president Josiah Makombe, who is also Gweru mayor, told NewZimbabwe.com that councils are financially hamstrung and there is a need for stakeholders and ratepayers to honour their obligations to enable councils to pay their employees.