Bad News for Recent Graduates and Job Seekers as Zimbabwe Freezes Civil Service Hiring

Bad News for Recent Graduates and Job Seekers as Zimbabwe Freezes Civil Service Hiring

In a move that deals a blow to job seekers and recent graduates eyeing government positions, the Zimbabwean government has announced a hiring freeze in the civil service, sparing only critical sectors like health and education.

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Zimbabwe Freezes Civil Service Hiring

The decision was announced by Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube on Thursday during the presentation of the 2025 National Budget. He explained that the freeze is aimed at keeping employment costs below 50% of government revenue, as spiralling wage bills threaten fiscal stability.

Minister Ncube highlighted that civil servants had recently received a US$40 increase in salaries, payable in local currency at the prevailing exchange rate, effective September 1, 2024.

“Government recently awarded a US$40 increase to the civil service, payable in local currency at the prevailing exchange rate, effective from September 1, 2024,” Ncube stated.

He emphasized that this allocation exceeds the government’s fiscal rule, which caps employment costs at 50% of revenue. To address the imbalance, the government will focus on enhancing revenue collection while restricting new hires to essential sectors such as education and health.

Also read: Ex-Finance Minister Tendai Biti Slams Mthuli Ncube’s 2025 Budget as Failing Zimbabwe’s Working People

Civil Service Overhaul on the Horizon

Ncube revealed plans for a civil service rationalisation exercise based on a recent job evaluation conducted by the Public Service Commission. The review aims to create a leaner, more effective workforce that can deliver quality public services.

“Going forward, the government will implement the recommendations of the job evaluation report, by reviewing the manning levels in the public service, up-skill and re-skill members where feasible, as well as adopt a new compensation framework which conforms with the principles of equal pay for equal work,” Ncube explained.

To stabilize public sector wages, the government has adopted a remuneration system that adjusts the local currency component of salaries in line with the US dollar exchange rate. This, Ncube said, is part of broader measures to ensure sustainable employment costs while maintaining a professional and effective civil service.

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