The government has officially gazetted a 5% increase in the minimum wage across all sectors for the 2025/2026 financial year. The new wage adjustments take effect this month, April, benefiting workers in various industries.
Following the increment, factory workers will now earn between M2,724 and M3,041, while construction workers’ wages will range from M3,226 to M5,664. Employees in the wholesale and retail sector will receive salaries between M3,088 and M3,276, whereas workers in smaller retail businesses will take home between M2,792 and M2,950.
In the hospitality sector, wages will be set between M2,779 and M3,058, while domestic workers will receive M872.
Speaking on the new wage structure, Construction, Mining, Quarrying, and Allied Workers Union (CMQ) Secretary General, Mr. Robert Mokhahlane, expressed appreciation for the increase. He highlighted that, for the first time, both unions and employers had reached a mutual agreement, aligning the increment with inflation.
“Though the 5% increase is lower than our initial demand, we are pleased that employers and unions have worked together for the benefit of workers. If this collaboration continues, protests could become a thing of the past,” he said.
He further stated that moving forward, the union aims to establish a bargaining council to better prepare for future negotiations.
In the previous financial year (2024/2025), factory workers also received a 5% increase, construction workers were awarded 7%, and employees in other non-civil service sectors saw a 6% wage hike. However, for the 2025/2026 period, civil servants have been granted only a 2% salary increment.
