Collective Bargaining Agreement: National Employment Council for the Cleaning and Hygiene Services Industry of Zimbabwe

A consolidated collective bargaining agreement for the cleaning and hygiene services industry has been registered under the Labour Act. It was made between the Association of Cleaning Companies of Zimbabwe and three unions — PCTAWUZ, CALSWUZ and FCTWUZ — and covers contract cleaning of offices, homes, windows, industrial buildings, public areas and vehicles, sanitary, laundry and hygiene services, and grounds maintenance. It was signed on 16 June 2024 and runs from the first day of the month after registration until further notice.

Minimum monthly wages (US dollars) are: grade 1(a) 251.00; grade 1(b), for staff with two or more years' service at 1 July 2023, 259.92; grade 2 266.62; 3 276.66; 4 285.58; 5 295.62; 6 303.43; 7 312.36; 8 330.20; 9 356.98; 10 381.52; 11 408.29; and 12 462.96. US$75 of each minimum must be paid in US dollars and the balance at the prevailing RBZ rate on the payment date; employers already paying more than US$75 in US dollars must continue. Cleaners, carpet cleaners, general labourers and garden attendants are grade 1; senior cleaners, watchmen and messengers grade 2; team leaders grade 3; supervisors grade 9. The wage schedule states it came into operation from 1 March 2024 to July 2024, so its current application is unclear.

Ordinary hours are capped at 9 a day and 45 a week, with a one-hour unpaid lunch and a tea break, and no more than five hours without a break. Overtime is paid at time-and-a-half, and double on days off and public holidays. Staff working more than 25km away overnight get actual costs or US$10 a day (US$6 if food is provided). Fixed-term contracts run six to twelve months and become permanent after five contracts or five years; casual work beyond six weeks in four months becomes permanent. Piece-work, task-work and ticket systems are banned, and total deductions are capped at 25% of gross pay.

Employees accrue 2.5 days' vacation leave a month (up to 90 days), up to 12 days' special leave a year, 98 days' fully paid maternity leave with daily nursing breaks, and 90 days' sick leave on full pay followed by up to 90 on half pay. Notice runs from two weeks to three months depending on contract length, and no one may be dismissed on notice alone without a lawful reason. Employees with five or more years' service receive a gratuity of 5% to 40% of monthly wage per year of service. Employers must supply protective clothing and uniforms free, keep first-aid kits where they employ more than ten people, and use only specially trained staff with proper equipment for cleaning above two metres. Employers and employees each pay 1% of basic wage to the NEC.