Government Says Civil Servants Now Among Zimbabwe’s Best-Paid, Private Sector “Unsettled”

Government Satisfied With Civil Servants’ Salaries, Claims They Earn Better Than Private Sector

The Government says civil servants are now among the best-paid workers in Zimbabwe and claims that the private sector has become “unsettled” as public sector salaries begin to surpass those offered by many companies.

Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion Deputy Minister Kudakwashe Mnangagwa made the remarks in Parliament on March 10, 2026, while responding to a question about the timing of the next salary review for Government workers.

According to The Chronicle, the Deputy Minister said the State had managed to ensure that even the lowest-paid civil servants now earn above the Poverty Datum Line (PDL).

Government Says Salaries Now Above Poverty Line

Addressing legislators, Deputy Minister Mnangagwa said Government salary structures have improved over time, placing public workers above the poverty threshold.

He explained that the lowest-paid Government employee receives around US$320 (about R5 920) plus an additional ZiG component equivalent to between US$40 and US$60 (about R740 to R1 110).

Introducing his response in Parliament, he said salary reviews are usually tied to cost-of-living considerations.

“Indeed, it has been quite some time since there was a salary review. These salary reviews usually come as cost-of-living adjustments, but we have experienced some stability over the last year and a half.”

He then outlined the structure of the lowest Government salary.

“Just to give some context around the architecture of the lowest-paid civil servant, you will find that it is US$320 (about R5 920) and a ZiG equivalent of about US$40 or US$60 (about R740 to R1 110). I will have to check those numbers.

This puts all our civil servants from the lowest paid — the cleaner — to the highest paid, above the poverty datum line. This is something we have strived over and over to achieve.”

The Poverty Datum Line represents the minimum income required to meet basic needs such as food, accommodation, healthcare and education.

The Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (ZimStat) indicated that the Total Consumption Poverty Line for one person stood at ZiG 1 260,52 per month as of March 2025.

Private Sector Reportedly “Unsettled”

Deputy Minister Mnangagwa told Parliament that the competitiveness of Government salaries has become a concern for some private sector employers.

He said the issue has emerged during salary negotiations that involve multiple stakeholders.

“Discussions around salary review are done in a forum that has the employers, the Government and the employees.”

He explained that the consultation process aims to prevent disruptions in the labour market.

“To avoid distortion within the job market, we give all parties a chance to add their voice.”

However, he revealed that some private companies have complained about the pace of Government salary adjustments.

“I will say that the private sector has actually been at the forefront of complaining that the Government is moving a bit too fast in increasing salaries.

It might come as a surprise, but the Government does pay better than the private sector at this moment.”

He added that Government intends to continue ensuring that its workers remain above the poverty threshold.

“While these discussions are ongoing between the employer and the employees, we will strive to ensure that our civil servants, particularly the lowest paid, are always above the poverty datum line.”

Treasury Warns Salary Adjustments Will Use Budget Reserves

Civil service remuneration also featured during the 2026 national budget discussions held in December 2025.

Finance Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube indicated that another round of salary adjustments was planned for the first quarter of 2026.

However, he cautioned legislators that the funds available in the Unallocated Reserve were limited.

“I would really like to persuade our colleagues. We have a limited purse… we seem to have a large Unallocated Reserve. I can assure you it is not large at all. It will go so fast and so quickly.”

Professor Ncube explained that part of the reserve would be used to cover civil service salary adjustments linked to the Government’s job evaluation exercise.

“One issue is the budget for salary adjustments for civil servants in the first quarter. It is going to happen, and it is based on the job evaluation exercise. It will eat away quite a lot of that Unallocated Reserve. It will not go far.”

Since 2018, Government has introduced several measures aimed at improving conditions for civil servants. These include periodic salary adjustments, special allowances and duty rebates for workers importing personal vehicles.