For most industries the minimum wage, grading structure and many conditions of employment are set by the National Employment Council for that sector through a registered collective bargaining agreement, not by a single national minimum wage.

A collective bargaining agreement registered by the Minister binds every employer and employee in the sector, whether or not they are union members. Where an employer contract offers less than the registered agreement, the agreement prevails. This is why the first question in almost any Zimbabwean pay dispute is which council covers the employer.

Applies to: Employers and employees in sectors with a National Employment Council