The government issued new retrenchment regulations setting the minimum package at one month of pay for every year worked, up from one month for every two years. Employers in financial difficulty can apply for an exemption but must still pay at least a quarter of the minimum package. Teacher and mine worker unions welcomed the change as a real improvement. Because retrenchments were rising sharply, the rule directly changed what thousands of departing workers received.

Policy applying to all retrenched permanent employees, no headcount applicable

Statutory instrument text also carried by Veritas Zimbabwe and analysed by Zimbabwean law firms. Union figures Obert Musaraure and Justice Chinhema quoted.

An employer reorganises its structure in a way that changes jobs, reporting lines or terms, whether or not headcount falls.

Evidence required: An employer statement or a union statement describing the reorganisation. Where headcount effects are not stated, the count is left empty and only the reorganisation is recorded.