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Govt sticks to its guns on new wage increases
2008-01-02 08:34:25
By Lusekelo Philemon
The Government has once again said that there will be no excuse for employers who will avoid paying the new minimum wages which became effective yesterday.
``I reiterate that all employers in the private sector are obliged to pay new minimum wage as stipulated by law and whoever will pay below the stated amount will be arrested and prosecuted,`` Labour, Employment and Youth Development minister John Chiligati said on Monday.
He said the government has taken all measures to ensure that employers pay the announced minimum wages.
For example, the minister said, the government has beefed up the Labour Inspection Unit that will fight against dishonest employers who deliberately breach labour laws.
``The new wages should not be taken as an excuse for employers to retrench their employees,`` Chiligati insisted.
According to the minister, the government recognises the importance of paying workers salaries that are comensurate with the cost of living.
``It must be clearly understood that these new wages are not even real living wages. This is just a starting point and it`s the wish of the government to ensure that the amount is increased to the maximum level.``He said the move will motivate workers and increase productivity.
Elaborating on wages for domestic workers, the minister said: ``These will be paid 21,000/- per month if the maids live with their employers and get basic services such as food, shelter and medical services. Those who don`t depend on their employers are entitled to 65,000/- per month.``
Last October the government directed employers in the private sector to start paying their employees new wages effective November 1, last year.
However, the government order hit a snag following hue and cry from employers across the country who asked the government to extend the time before they came into force.
Thereafter, the government changed the time frame and issued wage order for the private sector`s employers to start paying the minimum wages effective yesterday.
Minimum wages in the private sector range from 65,000/- to 350,000/-.
The salaries were pegged to sector productivity, with mining sector employees being the highest paid.
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