Cabinet has given its approval for the issuance of a statutory instrument (SI) concerning the review of minimum wages and working conditions for domestic workers, shop workers, and employees covered by the general order. Chief Government Spokesperson, Cornelius Mweetwa, made this announcement in a statement following Cabinet’s 18th meeting on Monday.
Mweetwa explained that this review was prompted by the recommendations put forth in the tripartite consultative labor council meeting. During this meeting, the government, trade unions, and representatives of employers reached a consensus to revise the existing minimum wages and conditions of employment.
The proposed adjustment of minimum wages is primarily driven by changes in the cost of living, the average national earnings, inflation, the unemployment rate, and the employers’ capacity to meet these wage requirements. Mweetwa also noted that this revision aligns with International Labour Organization Convention No. 131, which deals with the fixing of minimum wages to protect vulnerable workers.
