Least paid tobacco manufacturing sector employee to take home US$493 monthly

THE least paid employee in the Cigarette and Tobacco Manufacturing Industry will take home a modest US$493 in monthly salaries following the endorsement of the latest Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).

The CBA was endorsed by the Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Minister in terms of Section 80 (1) of the Labour Act.

Under the new salary structures, the least paid workers in the sector in Grade 1 will take home US$493,00 per month while those in mid- level Grades will be earning US$ 552,00 with highest paying grades in category 10 will be earning US$693 per month.

“The agreement was entered into in accordance with the provisions of the Labour Act between the Cigarette and Tobacco Manufacturing Employers Association and the Zimbabwe Tobacco Industrial Workers Union represented by Emmanuel Mariro as parties to the National Employment Council,” reads the CBA in part.

This agreement shall be deemed to have come into effect on 1st January 2026 and applicable up to December 31 2026.

The parties agreed to increase the Grade Minimums across the board by 6% with the wages being denominated in US$ with effect from 1st January 2026.

Employers in sector were compelled to pay 75% in foreign currency with the remainder 25% being payable in the local ZWG currency. Accordingly, employers are expected to pay NEC dues on a corresponding scale

“In addition, the Employment Council encourages employers and employees at company level Works Council to improve o conditions of service. The parties have also agreed to reconvene and review the agreement should there be any fundamental changes in the economic environment,” the CBA added.

Grade January –December 2026 US$ Salaries 1 493,56 1:2 501,13 2 507,44 2:2 515,01 3 522,59 3:2 530,16 4 537,73 4:2 545,31 5. 552,87 5:2 560,45 6 568,03 6:2 575,60 7 583,17 7:2 589,49 8 597,06 8:2 604,64 9 612,21 9:2 619,79 10 627,36 10.2 634,93

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