KEY POINTS
- Zimbabwe security guards earn less than USD 122 per month under SI 58/2024.
- Guards are the least paid in the region, earning far below South African and Zambian counterparts.
- ZISEGU calls for wage reforms and alignment with collective bargaining agreements.
The Zimbabwe Security Guards Union (ZISEGU) has called on Home Affairs Minister Kazembe Kazembe to repeal Statutory Instrument (SI) 58/2024, a regulation that sets low tariffs for security services, which the union claims result in unlivable wages for workers. In a letter to the minister, ZISEGU Secretary General Philemon Nhema stressed the urgent need for wage reforms to safeguard the dignity and rights of security guards in Zimbabwe.
NewZimbabwe.com reported that Nhema argued that SI 58/2024 is incompatible with international labor laws, including Article 23(3) of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and section 65(1) of Zimbabwe’s Constitution, which guarantees fair wages. “Security guards deserve a fair living wage that ensures a dignified life and prevents exploitation,” he said.
Low tariffs hinder employers’ ability to pay livable wages
According to Nhema, the statutory instrument imposes tariffs that make it nearly impossible for security companies to operate profitably without underpaying workers. For example, SI 58/2024 sets a minimum payment of USD 365 for a 24-hour contract, which typically requires three guards. Divided among them, this amounts to less than USD 122 per guard.
The union stated that the resulting wages are inconsistent with the collective bargaining agreement (CBA) in place. The CBA established a minimum wage of USD 210, inclusive of allowances, to be reviewed regularly. However, the union claimed that the statutory instrument undermines this agreement, leaving guards to struggle on inadequate pay.
Nhema added that Zimbabwean security guards earn significantly less than their counterparts in neighboring countries. South African guards, for instance, earn 4,521.70 rand monthly, while guards in Botswana and Zambia earn 45.60 pula daily and 2,313.10 kwacha monthly, respectively.
Exploitation worsened by lack of benefits
The plight of security guards is exacerbated by the lack of pension funds and other benefits. Apart from contributions to the National Social Security Authority (NSSA), guards have no retirement savings, medical aid, or other support systems to rely on. This leaves many vulnerable to poverty after years of service.
Nhema highlighted that the guards’ situation is particularly dire compared to their counterparts under the Ministry of Home Affairs, who receive better salaries and benefits.
Union calls for immediate reforms
ZISEGU urged Minister Kazembe to repeal SI 58/2024 and align wages with regional standards and existing CBAs. The union warned that failure to address these issues could destabilize Zimbabwe’s security industry, one of the fastest-growing sectors in the economy.
The petition represents a growing demand for fair labor practices in Zimbabwe, as workers call for equitable treatment and wages that reflect the value of their work.
