Government, Civil Servants Seal New Pay Deal

Everisto Zhuwao

The Government and civil servants have reached a new salary agreement following a successful meeting of the National Joint Negotiating Council (NJNC) held at Kaguvi Building in Harare on Thursday.

The agreement, signed by both government and worker representatives, will come into effect on April 1, 2026. It is expected to bring relief to public sector employees who have been grappling with the rising cost of living.

Under the new arrangement, the government will continue with a dual-currency salary structure. Each civil servant will receive a guaranteed US$320 component, with the remainder of their salary paid in local currency. The local currency portion will be adjusted in line with the prevailing exchange rate to help cushion workers against inflation and preserve the value of their earnings.

In addition to salary adjustments, the agreement places emphasis on improving the welfare of civil servants. A new housing programme has been approved, aimed at assisting government workers to acquire homes. The council also agreed on a roadmap to strengthen occupational safety and health policies, with plans to benchmark standards against those in the private sector.

The deal further introduces measures to improve fairness and transparency in the workplace. A restructured Appeals Committee will now include worker representatives to ensure balanced decision-making in administrative matters.

Meanwhile, a workshop is scheduled for April 21, 2026, to equip worker representatives with a better understanding of the ongoing job evaluation exercise.

The latest agreement is seen as a positive step towards strengthening relations between the government and its workforce, while addressing key economic and workplace concerns.