Collective Bargaining Agreement Food and Allied Industries (Meat, Fish, Poultry, Abattoir and Meat Processing Sub-sector)
Meat, fish and poultry workers get backdated 2023 wage rises of 14,7% in January, 18,1% in February and 34,7% in March, a US$35 subsistence allowance and a US$2 night shift allowance, both paid in ZWL at the prevailing rate.
This collective bargaining agreement amends the 2018 agreement for the Food and Allied Industries meat, fish, poultry, abattoir and meat processing sub-sector (S.I. 156 of 2018). The parties signed it on 17 March 2023, but it was only gazetted on 15 March 2024, so the increases it records are a year old on publication.
Minimum basic wages rise in three monthly steps from the December 2022 base: 14,738% for January 2023, 18,051% for February 2023, and 34,670% for March 2023. The grades run from A1 through C4. At grade A1 the gross moved from ZWL226 834 in December 2022 to ZWL254 218 in January, ZWL260 000 in February and ZWL300 000 in March. At the top grade C4 the gross moved from ZWL312 960 to ZWL353 038, ZWL361 674 and ZWL415 987 over the same months.
Allowances are pegged separately. Transport allowance is ZWL25 000 for January and February 2023 and ZWL30 000 for March. Housing allowance is ZWL29 000 for January and February and ZWL35 000 for March.
Two allowances are set in US dollars but paid in local currency. The night shift allowance is US$2, payable in ZWL at the RBZ auction rate of the Tuesday falling between the 15th and 21st of each month, effective 1 March 2023 — and it does not apply to employees on maternity or sick leave. The subsistence allowance is US$35, payable in ZWL at the prevailing interbank rate on the day of payment, effective 1 January 2023, made up of US$20 accommodation, US$3 breakfast, US$5 lunch, US$5 dinner and US$2 incidentals.
The transport allowance carries conditions that will decide individual entitlements. It is paid only to an employee who has physically reported for duty. Employers who provide housing within the environs of the company's operations are exempt from paying it, and so are employers of employees living within a two kilometre radius. Separately, the employer must pay transport costs for days worked beyond the normal 22 working days, meaning weekends and public holidays. All other conditions of service remain unchanged.
What changed
- Minimum basic wages increased by 14,738% for January 2023, 18,051% for February 2023 and 34,670% for March 2023 off the December 2022 base
- Transport allowance pegged at ZWL25 000 for January and February 2023 and ZWL30 000 for March
- Housing allowance pegged at ZWL29 000 for January and February 2023 and ZWL35 000 for March
- Night shift allowance of US$2 payable in ZWL at the RBZ auction rate, effective 1 March 2023, excluding employees on maternity or sick leave
- Subsistence allowance of US$35 per day payable in ZWL at the interbank rate, effective 1 January 2023, itemised across accommodation and meals
- Transport allowance payable only where the employee physically reports for duty, with exemptions for company-provided housing and employees within a two kilometre radius
Who this affects
- abattoir, meat processing, fish and poultry workers in grades A1 to C4
- employers in the meat, fish, poultry and abattoir sub-sector
- night shift workers in meat processing plants
- payroll officers converting US dollar allowances at RBZ and interbank rates
- employees living within two kilometres of their workplace
Plain-language summary — not legal advice. Always read the full instrument.