Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2008, published 98th ILC session (2009)

Minimum Wage Fixing Machinery (Agriculture) Convention, 1951 (No. 99) - Zimbabwe (Ratification: 1993)

Article 1 of the Convention. Minimum wage fixing machinery for the agricultural sector. The Committee notes the observations made by the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) on the application of the Convention. According to the ZCTU, the Government has failed to ensure that workers’ income is adequately protected in terms of guaranteeing a fair remuneration sufficient to provide a decent living. The ZCTU indicates that, in the context of the current hyper-inflationary economy, prices of basic commodities change at an hourly rate and minimum wage rates become rapidly irrelevant, thus calling into question the practicality of maintaining a system where an amount fixed today would be next to nothing by the end of the week. The Committee understands that, according to official data published by the Central Statistical Office, the inflation rate in June 2008 stood at 11 million per cent per year, or 839 per cent per month. It also notes that, in recent months, the Zimbabwe dollar has been losing 13 per cent of its value per day. In light of the aggravating socio-economic situation, the Committee asks the Government to clarify the role and function of the National Employment Council for the Agricultural Industry (NEC) and, in particular, the practical significance of the annual review of minimum pay rates by NEC subcommittees responsible for cost of living adjustment. It also requests the Government to transmit any comments it may wish to make in reply to the observations of the ZCTU.

[The Government is asked to reply in detail to the present comments in 2009.]