Zimbabweans Fume Over ‘Unrealistic’ Minimum Wage Amid Economic Struggles

Zimbabweans Fume Over ‘Unrealistic’ Minimum Wage Amid Economic Struggles

Zimbabweans have slammed the government’s minimum wage requirement for employers.

Zimbabweans have expressed anger and disappointment following the government’s announcement of a US$150 minimum wage for employees.

This decision, revealed after Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube set the non-taxable income threshold at 2,800 ZiG (approximately US$100 at the official exchange rate), was meant to boost workers’ disposable income. However, many believe the move falls far short of addressing the nation’s harsh economic realities.

Explaining the policy in Parliament, Minister Ncube said the tax adjustments aim to ease financial burdens on workers:

“Mr Speaker Sir, current legislation exempts the first US$100 income earned by employees, hence, any subsequent income is taxed at rates ranging from 20%, up to a marginal income tax rate of 40% for incomes above US$ 3,000 per month. The equivalent exempt portion in local currency and the tax bands thereof have, however, been affected by the recent macroeconomic developments, hence, the need to provide relief to taxpayers. In view of the above, I propose to review the local currency Tax-Free Threshold to ZiG2 800 per month,” Professor Ncube explained.

Despite these reassurances, Zimbabweans took to social media to criticize the proposal, calling the minimum wage unrealistic and unsustainable. Many argued that even civil servants, such as teachers, earn too little to pay their domestic helpers the mandated minimum wage. Here is what some Zimbabweans had to say:

@deanzulu:

These guys realize that money needs to be generated first by the employees right? The economy literally has them in a chokehold

@AkiNotFromTroy:

Vakomana mungaisa min wage imimi…kuti teacher ape maid yake 150 imi munenge mamupa marii teacher wacho….dhiyabhorosi nyoka chaiyo

@TinasheIsiah:

Unacceptable, what is the poverty datum line currently? That were salaries should be pegged.

@munya07281390:

This is too little. Check this out, when you underpay your employee in a country that’s highly dependant on imports

@Chief_Twit2109:

If Zimbabweans companies hear this they will reduce the already good for nothing 300 dollars to the minimum $150 and say govt said so

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