The Government through the Ministry of Labour and Social Security has revised upwards the minimum wages for domestic workers, shopkeepers and general workers.
The revised minimum wage will be in effect beginning January 2023.
Minister of Labour and Social Security Brenda Tambatamba stated that in accordance with Statutory Instrument Number 69 of Domestic Workers Order of 2018, the gross pay for domestic workers will move from K993.60 to K1300.00.
In addressing the media today, Ms Tambatamba added that Statutory Instrument Number 70 of Shop Workers Order of 2018, drivers, sales assistants and packers will earn a gross pay of K2, 722.57 from K1, 994.40.
“The Minimum wage for General Workers and Cleaners has been raised from K1,698.60 to K2,313.10 in accordance with Statutory Instrument Number 70 (General) Order of 2018,” she further added
Ms Tambatamba mentioned that the upward revision of the minimum wage was arrived at following consultations with the Labour Advisory Committee/ Council, tripartite constituencies and other key stakeholders.
The Minister said that the revised minimum wage is only applicable to the vulnerable categories of employees and not the unionised employers across the country.
Ms Tambatamba disclosed that the Government will ensure strict adherence to the outlined minimum wages, adding that employers are advised to adhere to the revised wages, as failure to do this, the law will take its course.
She has since urged both employers and workers who are covered under the Minimum Wages and Conditions of Employment Orders to exercise some patience as the Government finalises the process to revise the minimum wage.
Ms Tambatamba highlighted that the Tripartite Consultative Labour Council (TCLC) tasked a resolution in the meeting held on the 23rd of April, 2021 to review the existing minimum wages, and conditions of employment and formulate the the sector based minimum wages and conditions of employment for mining and communication which is the media sectors, TCLC also resolved to subject the draft agricultural sector for minimum wages and conditions of service employment order to further consultations through the Labour Advisory Committee, which is an adhoc Committee of the Tripartite Consultative Labour Council established under Section 99 of the Employment Code Act Number 3 of 2019 of the Laws of Zambia to enquire into wages and conditions of employment in any undertaking or sector.
She said that this is inorder to recommend the minimum wages of conditions of employment to the Minister of Labour and Social Security, therefore,it is only when the Labour Advisory Council as come up with recommendations that the Minister or any other occupant of the Minister’s Office can prescribe the minimum wages by Statutory Instruments.
Ms Tambatamba explained that in a quest to ensure that the revision and formulation of minimum wages is informed by research, the Labour Advisory Council engaged the Zambia Institute of Policy and Research (ZIPA) to undertake a study of numerous variable that impact on minimum wages including inflation, unemployment rate and capacity of employers to pay.
“Following the ZIPAR research findings, the Labour Advisory Council held a meeting on 25th of October, 2022 to review the existing minimum wages and conditions of employment, thus, giving recommendations to the Minister of Labour and Social Security Office to make upwards adjustments to the minimum wages for domestic workers, shop workers, employees covered under the general order,” she explained
Ms Tambatamba noted that the Labour Advisory Council structure is broad, and consists of nine members as provided for in Section 100 of the Employment Code Act. The Labour Advisory Council consists of two (2) members representing the Government, one (1) of whom shall be from the Ministry responsible for labour as Chairperson, two (2) members nominated by the both representatives of federation of Trade Unions, two (2) members nominated by the most represented federation of employers organisations, two (2) persons with knowledge and experience in the determination of minimum wages and conditions of employment, and a representative of the national institution responsible for statistics.
Good achievement by the New Dawn Administration to the lowly paid workers of Zambia. Some people doubt the New Dawn ‘walking the talk’ to uplift standard of living of every Zambian. Pack of thieves will begin to react – who have no shame as they destroyed the economy now making the loudest noise.
Is the New Doom government going to fund me to increase my maids wages? If they will no problem but if not I will ask her(maid) to either leave or continue at the same rate. My income has not increased.
If Ba Nalumango don’t want to be president in 2026, then let Ba Brenda take that position.
HH is being called by the world, they want him to take over UN, he is just too good to be a president of a small country like Zambia.
he has shocked the world with removal Death Penalty…. African Country in this century?? What a fanatastic president.
I agree with Deja Vu
This will be the best option for most
Its easy to sit there in her seat and state that Sales Assistants wages will be increased from K2, 722.57 from K1, 994.40…when the cost of business in Zambia is already at all time high and you throw in your loadshedding.
Minimum Wages are meaningless in Free Market economy!
What happens when a Private employer of an Induvial employer cant afford a Minimum Wage – the Government will subsidise and offer employment Grants?
Shouldn’t Minimum Wages be restricted to the Public Sector – will micro institutions and bottom-o-the-pyramid farmers afford this?
Some of these Theories, Kaya!
Job cuts and losses. Most people prefer relatives in such situations
Exactly. How do I increase the pay when even at 700 Kwacha I am struggling?
I already pay my home workers the same salary that civil servants get.
LIAR
Ignore this UK based Impostor and his delusions!!
Why are you big f00Is commenting on my posts? Take your own advice and ignore me. Fuseke
Chipante pante Government…they seem to be confused….unemployment is too high and the cost of doing business has become too expensive so they want us to reduce workforce….I had 3 guys working on my property come January 1st i will only keep 1…..effects of a Chipante pante Government….alot of shopkeepers will lose jobs come January
What about the mining sector, the minimum wage artisan for 2023
Now a civil servant getting K5000 salary who isn’t even managing to pay the current K900 to his maid because of high rentals, electricity which again you want to increase, high transport costs because of monthly fuel increment so how is he going to pay 25% of his salary to the maid?
general workers sector is the most unlevel playing field in the country
Informal sector ignore small business in the main streets cannot afford
Labour inspectors only visit selected stores so at a gusess 80% are under paid
Good president wanthu HH I was waiting for this now it has come. Groly be to God.
New down at work.
THIS REVISED MINIMUM WAGE SHOULD BE WILL EVALUATED.CONSIDERING THE CURRENT COST OF LIVING AND THE CURRENT SALARIES EVEN THIS REVISED CAN’T REACHED THE NEEDS.
I THEREFORE,REQUEST THAT THOSE IN UNION AND NON UNIONIZED WORKER LATE THIS SALARY/MINIMUM INCREMENT COVER ALL WORKERS.
AM STATING MY VIEW THAT IN PRIVATE SECTOR THERE ARE NO GRADE OF SALARIES EVEN THOSE QUALIFIED STILL CONSIDERATION WILL BE SAME.
ONLY THOSE CALLED EXPATRIATES DOES ENJOYING THOSE WITH POOR GRADE.
WAS THIS CONSIDERED AS ZAMBIANS FIRST OR LAST TO THE TAIL.
WE NEED SOMETHING WHICH WILL HELP ZAMBIA PLEASE AM IN PRIVATE SECTOR AM MY REASONS ARE GENUINE
Am with you sir we are suffering in the private sector as if we don’t vote company within chisamba block please intervain we need the protection from the government as regards to the payment
THIS REVISED MINIMUM WAGE SHOULD BE WILL EVALUATED.CONSIDERING THE CURRENT COST OF LIVING AND THE CURRENT SALARIES EVEN THIS REVISED CAN’T REACHED THE NEEDS.
I THEREFORE,REQUEST THAT THOSE IN UNION AND NON UNIONIZED WORKER LATE THIS SALARY/MINIMUM INCREMENT COVER ALL WORKERS.
AM STATING MY VIEW THAT IN PRIVATE SECTOR THERE ARE NO GRADE OF SALARIES EVEN THOSE QUALIFIED STILL CONSIDERATION WILL BE SAME.
ONLY THOSE CALLED EXPATRIATES DOES ENJOYING THOU WITH POOR GRADE.
WAS THIS CONSIDERED AS ZAMBIANS FIRST OR LAST TO THE TAIL.
WE NEED SOMETHING WHICH WILL HELP ZAMBIA PLEASE AM IN PRIVATE SECTOR AM MY REASONS ARE GENUINE
I am happy for those following the revised wages. But Madam Tambatamba, how are you going to make sure that employers comply to revised wages? And you should also find the way of making sure the private companies also follow this and pay NAPSA for their employees.
Direct and we’ll articulated,the thing is people who are leaving in the cave are the ones passing useless arguments, and yet the increment of wages will cause a positive effect on the markets calling for a marginal in production hence employing more running through the goods market you find that the impact started from the teachers recruitment our concern should be all sectors to comply private, government, parastatals and government should make sure they comply. Thumbs for madam Tambatamba
Am humbled to this New minimum wage. Am from private Sector and to be honest with you TOP RANKINGS, In private Sectors people are are being harassed in so many ways. ZAMBIANS almost lost voice because of fear of being brutalized by These so called Expatriate. The foreigners come here in ZAMBIA ?? for investment humbly at first but when get used with the environment, Feeling like a member of the society to start mistreating the people who are already affected. Mr President HAKAINDE HICHILEMA with your colleagues, GOD in Heaven bless you because of remembering the poor people in Country ZAMBIA ??. The cost of living does not equat with what people are getting at month end. Thank you
Am humbled to this New minimum wage. Am from private Sector and to be honest with you TOP RANKINGS, In private Sectors people are are being harassed in so many ways. ZAMBIANS almost lost voice because of fear of being brutalized by These so called Expatriate. The foreigners come here in ZAMBIA ?? for investment humbly at first but when get used with the environment, Feeling like a member of the society to start mistreating the people who are already affected. Mr President HAKAINDE HICHILEMA with your colleagues, GOD in Heaven bless you because of remembering the poor people in Country ZAMBIA ??. The cost of living does not equat with what people are getting at month end. Thank you
In what category are the security officers/guards in. Cause these people also needs to be looked after they are overused with long hours get paid less which is not fair according to the duties they perform of risking their lives.
What of us unionised workers