The government has announced that civil servants will receive their 2026 annual bonuses in two equal instalments, with 50 percent set to be paid in November and the remaining balance in December.
The National Joint Negotiating Council (NJNC) announced the payment arrangements in a statement following a meeting held on November 2, 2026, at Kaguvi Building in Harare.
The announcement comes after Finance Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube assured civil servants that Government remained committed to meeting its annual bonus obligations.
In its statement, the NJNC said employees in Grades A to D would receive bonuses calculated at 100 percent of their pensionable emoluments, comprising basic salary, in-service allowance and administration allowance.
“The payment modalities for the 2026 Annual Bonus for members of the Public Service are as follows: Grades A to D bonus will be calculated at 100 percent pensionable emoluments,” read part of the statement.
“Payment will be staggered in two equal installments; 50 percent will be paid in November 2026, and the remaining 50 percent will be paid in December 2026.”
The NJNC also confirmed that Treasury had approved a flat cushioning allowance for government pensioners, payable in December 2026.
Speaking in an interview, Prof. Ncube reiterated the government’s commitment to paying civil servants their bonuses, saying there would be no difficulty in meeting the obligation.
He also revealed that the government had extended annual bonus payments to traditional chiefs from last year in recognition of their contribution to communities.
“We have even started paying bonuses even for our traditional chiefs, which has never happened since independence in 1980.
“We also recognise the good work that they do, and we were able to cover them as well. But civil servants’ bonuses, we are going to pay those,” he said.
Meanwhile, the NJNC meeting also agreed to formally adopt the Public Service Occupational Safety and Health Policy, committing to support its dissemination, implementation, monitoring, and periodic review.
The policy seeks to reduce workplace injuries, diseases, and fatalities while providing workers with the right to refuse work that poses imminent danger without fear of punishment or dismissal.