Domestic Workers Minimum Wage Zimbabwe 2026 (US$90–US$117)

Quick answer: since 16 June 2026, the legal minimum wage for domestic workers in Zimbabwe is US$90 a month for gardeners and yard workers, US$99 for cooks and housekeepers, US$108 for child, aged or disabled minders, and US$117 for minders who hold a Red Cross certificate. Cabinet approved the rates with immediate effect, and set a separate floor of US$270 a month for workers in "unclassified operations" who are not covered by any National Employment Council (NEC).

This guide explains each grade, who the rates apply to, how they are paid, and what workers and employers should do next.

Domestic worker minimum wage in Zimbabwe: the 2026 grades

The monthly minimum wages approved by Cabinet are:

Yard worker or gardener: US$90 a month
General domestic worker: US$90 a month (up from US$85)
Cook or housekeeper: US$99 a month
Child, disabled or aged minder: US$108 a month (up from US$95)
Disabled or aged minder with a Red Cross certificate: US$117 a month (up from US$100)

These are floors, not fixed salaries. An employer can always pay more, for example for an experienced or live-in worker. What an employer cannot do is pay below the rate for the grade that matches the work actually done.

Key facts at a glance

Effective date: immediately after the Cabinet meeting of 16 June 2026.
Legal basis: a review under section 19 of the Labour Act [Chapter 28:01], informed by recommendations from the tripartite Wages and Salaries Advisory Council (WASC).
Who it covers: domestic workers employed in private households, plus a separate rate for unclassified operations.
Unclassified operations floor: US$270 a month, up from US$150 under Statutory Instrument 186 of 2024 — an 80% increase.
Currency: the rates are expressed in US dollars; the unclassified operations wage is payable in local currency (ZiG) at the prevailing rate, and reports indicate the domestic rates may also be settled in local currency at the equivalent value.

Which grade applies to you?

The grade depends on the main duties of the job, not the job title on a WhatsApp advert. Use these rules of thumb:

Mainly outdoor work (garden, yard, general cleaning outside the house): the US$90 grade.
Mainly cooking, cleaning and running the house: the US$99 cook/housekeeper grade.
Looking after children, an elderly relative or a person with a disability: the US$108 minder grade.
Caregiving for an elderly or disabled person while holding a Red Cross certificate: the US$117 grade. Keep a copy of the certificate so you can prove it.

If one person does several jobs — for example, cooking and minding children — it is sensible for both sides to agree in writing which grade applies, and to use the higher one where the caring role is a major part of the work.

What "unclassified operations" means

Most formal-sector workers in Zimbabwe have their pay set by an NEC collective agreement for their industry. Retail and wholesale workers, for example, have their own NEC schedule — see our report on the US$331 retail workers' minimum wage. Workers whose employers fall outside every NEC are in "unclassified operations". Their floor is now US$270 a month, paid in local currency.

Civil servants are also outside this system; their pay follows government grading. Our guide to civil servants' salary grades in Zimbabwe explains how that works.

Why the new rates are controversial

Domestic workers have no National Employment Council of their own, so a government review is the main way their minimum pay changes. The Zimbabwe Domestic and Allied Workers Union (ZDAWU) rejected the new figures as "poverty wages", saying they do not reflect the cost of living, and repeated its call for a dedicated NEC for the sector. The jump for most household staff is only US$5 to US$17 a month, while the unclassified operations rate rose by US$120.

What workers should do

Check your grade against the list above and compare it with your current pay.
Ask for a written contract that states your duties, monthly wage, working hours and whether accommodation or food is provided.
Keep records of every payment — a notebook, bank or mobile-money statement, or signed receipt.
Raise underpayment calmly first with your employer, pointing to the June 2026 rates.
Get help if it is not resolved: contact the nearest labour office of the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare, or ZDAWU, for advice.

What employers should do

Review every household worker's pay against the correct grade and adjust it from June 2026 if it falls short.
Put the agreed wage and duties in writing and update it when duties change.
If paying in ZiG, use the prevailing rate on the day you pay so the worker still receives the full US$ value.
Keep simple payslips or receipts; they protect both sides in a dispute.

Beware of fake domestic job offers

Scammers often use maid, nanny and caregiver adverts — including "jobs abroad" — to collect "registration" or "placement" fees. Genuine employers do not ask you to pay to be hired. Never send money or copies of your ID to an unknown recruiter, and treat promises of high foreign salaries with caution. Government has also moved against fake overseas recruitment, as covered in our article on the proposed law against fake overseas jobs.

Frequently asked questions

What is the minimum wage for a maid in Zimbabwe in 2026?

A general domestic worker or housekeeper must earn at least US$90 a month, and a cook or housekeeper at least US$99, under the rates approved on 16 June 2026.

How much should a nanny be paid in Zimbabwe?

A child minder's minimum wage is US$108 a month. A carer for an elderly or disabled person who holds a Red Cross certificate is entitled to at least US$117.

Can domestic workers be paid in ZiG?

The rates are set in US dollars, and reports indicate they can be settled in local currency at the equivalent value. If you are paid in ZiG, the amount should match the US$ rate at the prevailing exchange rate on payday.

What is the general minimum wage in Zimbabwe?

For workers in unclassified operations — those not covered by any NEC agreement — the minimum is US$270 a month, payable in local currency. Workers in industries with an NEC follow their sector's own wage schedule.

Where can a domestic worker report underpayment?

Start with the employer, then approach the nearest labour office of the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare. The Zimbabwe Domestic and Allied Workers Union can also advise members.

Next steps

Looking for better-paid work? Browse current jobs in Zimbabwe, or narrow your search to jobs in Harare and jobs in Bulawayo. You can also build a free CV with the Jobsiz resume builder and read more pay guides in our Salary & Pay section.

Sources

Rates verified as of 28 October 2026. Check the Government Gazette or the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare for any later review.

Domestic Workers' Minimum Wage in Zimbabwe 2026: US$90 to US$117 by Grade