The Vendors Initiative for Social and Economic Transformation (VISET) has noted the Government of Zimbabwe’s decision to revise the minimum wage structure for domestic workers, yard workers, gardeners, housekeepers, cooks, and caregivers. This development represents an important recognition of the valuable contribution made by domestic workers to households and the broader economy. The establishment of differentiated wage categories based on skills and responsibilities is a positive step towards promoting fairness and acknowledging the specialized nature of care work, particularly for child minders, aged care workers, and disability caregivers.

However, while VISET applauds this intervention, we believe that more needs to be done to ensure that workers in the domestic sector earn a living wage that adequately meets the rising cost of living. The newly announced minimum wages remain significantly below the amount required for workers and their families to afford basic necessities such as food, housing, healthcare, education, and transportation.

As an organization committed to advancing decent work, social protection, and economic justice for workers in the informal economy, VISET calls for:

• Regular reviews of minimum wages to ensure they keep pace with inflation and the cost of living.
• Enhanced enforcement mechanisms to ensure full compliance by employers across the country.
• Expanded social protection coverage, including access to health insurance, pensions, and occupational safety measures for domestic workers.
• Greater recognition and formalization of domestic work through improved labour protections and access to collective representation.
• Continued social dialogue involving workers’ representatives, employers, government, and civil society organizations in determining fair and sustainable wage levels.

Domestic workers play a critical role in supporting families, caring for children, older persons, and persons with disabilities, and enabling economic productivity. Their work deserves dignity, protection, and remuneration that reflects its true value.

VISET remains committed to advocating for policies that promote decent work, social justice, and inclusive economic development for all workers, particularly those operating within vulnerable and informal sectors.

Issued by:

Vendors Initiative for Social and Economic Transformation (VISET)