via Government Amends Labour Laws 22/12/2014
CABINET has agreed on reforms to the country’s labour laws to introduce productivity-linked wages, said Minister of Industry and Commerce Mike Bimha.
The proposed reforms will take into account current economic challenges which have affected productivity levels in most companies.
“Approval was given for labour law reforms that will introduce efficiencies in the economy and measures that will introduce productivity at the firm level,” Bimha said over the weekend.
“Further, the cabinet approved that collective bargaining should be (held) at company level so that wages and salaries agreed on are realistic and take into account productivity levels at the company level.”
Bimha said the government had also taken a decision to curtail excessive wage bills in state-owned enterprises (SOEs) and local authorities.
“The cabinet emphasised the need to undertake reform exercises which include adjustment downwards of parastatals and local authorities’ wages and salaries, as the current levels are not only costly to citizens but to companies through levying high rates, fees and other charges to sustain the high wage bill.”
With the economy struggling to grow due to a myriad of challenges, businesses have been clamouring for the need to change remuneration structures.
However, Zimbabwe’s trade unions have said they would resist moves to adopt productivity-linked wages.
The unions argue that Zimbabwe is not yet ready for productivity-linked wages and insist on maintaining current poverty datum line (PDL)-linked salaries currently estimated at more than US$500 a month.
COMMENTS
Cde you are reinventing the wheel. By doing the same thing over and over , you are simply moving backwards instead of forward. The mind boggles that’s for sure.
Yikuthi vele bayiziyelele bonke ngoba bona bazabehola bengenzi lutho.
It is amazing that some people would oppose productivity related remuneration. If you don’t produce you really should not expect to be paid. Likewise, you also should not expect pay increments or 13th cheques if you are not producing. This, in my view, should be extended to the civil service where 13th cheques are now treated as a right.
Useless and lazy jerks rule this place. God please help us.
Bimha, companies are closing down and you say employers and employees need to discuss wages at company level? You guys are not serious. With two VPs and Disgrace and deputy ministers for almost all ministries and a blotted corrupt civil disservice and ailing parastatals that are run by military generals among other ills – who should be looking themselves in the mirror Bimha?