Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2018, published 108th ILC session (2019)

Zimbabwe

Minimum Wage-Fixing Machinery Convention, 1928 (No. 26) (Ratification: 1993)
Minimum Wage Fixing Machinery (Agriculture) Convention, 1951 (No. 99) (Ratification: 1993)

The Committee takes note of the observations received from the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) in 2017 regarding Convention No. 26 and Convention No. 99, as well as the Government’s reply to these observations. In order to provide a comprehensive view of the issues relating to the application of these Conventions, the Committee considers it appropriate to examine them in a single comment.

Article 3(4) of Convention No. 99. Binding nature of the minimum wage. Following its previous request on this matter, the Committee notes the information provided by the Government in its report, in particular concerning the adoption of a new collective bargaining agreement for the agricultural sector (published with Statutory Instrument No. 116 of 2014) and the fixing of the corresponding minimum wage rates in 2018 (Statutory Instrument No. 13 of 2018).

Article 4(1) of Convention No. 26 and Article 4(1) of Convention No. 99. System of supervision and sanctions. The Committee notes the ZCTU observations on the weakness of the labour inspection system. It also notes that the Government indicates that it is working toward strengthening its labour inspectorate system and that it disseminates information on the services of its various departments, including the Labour Administration Department, at annual exhibitions of the Zimbabwe Agricultural Show and the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair with the aim of raising awareness of workers’ rights. The Government also indicates that the National Employment Council for Agriculture undertakes inspections so as to ensure that the minimum wages are enforced in that sector. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the measures taken in order to strengthen the system of supervision and sanctions for the implementation of the minimum wage. It also requests the Government to provide information regarding the outcome of the inspections carried out by the National Employment Council in the agricultural sector.