Collective Bargaining Agreement—National Employment Council for the Welfare and Educational Institutions
Minimum wages at independent and non-formal colleges run from US$160 to US$444,77 a month by grade and school type, plus US$150 housing and US$80 transport — backdated to a period that had already ended in December 2025.
This agreement sets minimum wages for welfare and educational institutions from 1 September 2025 to 31 December 2025. It was signed on 31 July 2025 and gazetted on 24 April 2026, four months after the period it covers closed, so its practical effect is on arrears rather than on current pay.
Wages differ by school type. Boarding schools (Independent G) pay from US$247,66 at grade A1 to US$444,77 at C5. Urban day schools (Independent H2) pay from US$200,00 to US$359,15. Rural day schools (Independent H1) pay from US$160,00 to US$287,34. Housing allowance is US$150,00 and transport US$80,00 a month at all three, paid to employees not given free accommodation or transport.
Deductions are heavy and precise. NEC levies are 4% in total — 2% deducted from the employee's actual wage and 2% from the employer. Trade union dues are a further 4% of a member's wage. Both are due by the 7th of the following month, and where wages are paid in foreign currency the deductions must be remitted in foreign currency too. Wages are denominated in US dollars, payable in USD or the ZWG equivalent at the SI 185 of 2020 rate or the prevailing bank rate, whichever is greater.
Several allowances sit on top. Employees with at least 12 months' continuous service get an extra 1% of the prescribed monthly wage for each completed year. Night shift work pays 1% of the monthly salary rate for each night worked. Subsistence is US$10 each for breakfast, lunch, dinner and out-of-pocket. Educational allowances cover 75% of the fees payable at local authority and government schools, for up to three biological children. On a funeral, the employer covers any shortfall on the cost of a coffin, or half the coffin where the employee has no policy.
Termination gratuities are rewritten. The old scale in SI 102 of 2014 is replaced with one running from 10% of a monthly wage after 3 years of service, rising a percentage point per year to 42% after 35 years.
Staff already paid above the minimum keep the cash difference, and workplace negotiations to top up the agreement remain permitted.
What changed
- Minimum wages set from US$247,66 (A1) to US$444,77 (C5) at boarding schools
- Minimum wages set from US$200,00 to US$359,15 at urban day schools and US$160,00 to US$287,34 at rural day schools
- Housing allowance of US$150,00 and transport allowance of US$80,00 a month across all three school types
- NEC levies of 4% in total — 2% from the employee's wage and 2% from the employer — due by the 7th of the following month
- Trade union dues of 4% of a member's wage
- Additional 1% of monthly wage for each completed year of service after 12 months
- Night shift allowance of 1% of monthly salary per night worked
- Educational allowance of 75% of local authority and government school fees for up to three biological children
- Termination gratuity scale replaced: 10% of a monthly wage at 3 years' service rising to 42% at 35 years
- Employer covers the shortfall on a coffin, or 50% where the employee has no funeral policy
Who this affects
- independent and non-formal colleges registered under section 43 of the Education Act
- boarding, urban day and rural day school employers in the sector
- members of the Zimbabwe Educational, Health, Scientific, Social and Cultural Workers Union
- special schools operated by private voluntary organisations
- school bursars and payroll staff
Plain-language summary — not legal advice. Always read the full instrument.