Minimum wage increases by 8% for Agro-subsector

The National Employment Council for the Agricultural Industry (NEC Agriculture) has announced an 8% increase in the minimum wage for workers in the sugarcane subsector, raising it from US$137 to US$148, marking a milestone in Zimbabwe's pursuit of an upper-middle-income economy by 2030.

The announcement was made during NEC Agriculture's inaugural stakeholder engagement session with the sugarcane subsector, held at Palm Tree Place. The meeting brought together representatives from the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare, leadership from the Zimbabwe Sugarcane Growers Apex Council, and employer associations from across the Lowveld region.

Speaking at the session, NEC Agriculture CEO David Madyausiku emphasised the strategic importance of the sugarcane subsector, which spans agriculture, manufacturing, energy production, and even advanced material sciences. He highlighted that the recent Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) had resulted in the wage increase, describing it as a "significant step towards attainment of Vision 2030."

"Through the recent CBA, the minimum wage in the Agricultural subsector has increased by 8%, from US$137 to US$148, making it a significant step towards attainment of Vision 2030," Madyausiku said.

NEC Agriculture Chairperson Tsitsi Nyirenda urged farmers to create a legacy aligned with the nation's 2030 vision, emphasising the long-term value of efficiently utilising land for future generations.

The engagement was initiated following the gazettal of the Job Evaluation Report for the sugarcane subsector, registered as Statutory Instrument 224 of 2025, which codifies job roles and grades across the industry. This provided employers with practical guidance on legal and operational implications for their workforce.

Madyausiku also noted NEC Agriculture's commitment to accessibility, highlighting a fully operational regional office staffed by three full-time employees to support local employers and workers.

In her vote of thanks, Bernadette Chipembere Tamba stressed the importance of continuous engagement between NEC Agriculture and sugarcane farmers, ensuring clear communication and mutual understanding of industry developments.

Madyausiku concluded by acknowledging the challenges and opportunities within Zimbabwe's Vision 2030 framework, urging cooperation as a key driver of progress.

"We are in a time of great complexity. However, we are also in a time of great optimism, and cooperation guarantees it. Divisions destroy the prospects of it," he said.