Located in Southern Africa, Zimbabwe is a country rich in history with a vibrant culture, incredible landscapes, and diverse wildlife.
Lower wages and a highly skilled workforce, make Zimbabwe an incredibly appealing location when it comes to hiring remote workers.
However, without existing operations in Zimbabwe, companies must work with an Employer of Record (EOR) to ensure they are fully compliant with the country’s complex labor and tax laws.
In this article, we will go over the role and responsibilities of an Employer of Record, the benefits of working with an EOR when hiring workers in Zimbabwe, how to hire international workers through an EOR, and more.
The Benefits and Challenges of Hiring Remote Employees in Zimbabwe
Following the COVID-19 pandemic, many companies developed the infrastructure to
employ remote workers, giving them access to a larger talent pool and the ability to hire employees in all corners of the world for a lower cost.
African countries like Zimbabwe are particularly desirable to hire from for the following reasons:
- Wages are lower in Zimbabwe than in many other countries due to a lower cost of living
- Zimbabwe has a wide talent pool when it comes to industries like mining, agriculture, and manufacturing.
- English is one of Zimbabwe’s many official languages, with many Zimbabweans having strong proficiency in English.
- The Zimbabwean government offers many incentives to employers such as tax breaks and other financial incentives.
While there are numerous benefits to hiring from Zimbabwe, it also presents certain challenges.
The main challenge with employing remote workers in Zimbabwe is that employers must navigate the country’s labor and tax laws and ensure they are compliant. This can be a significant obstacle.
Fortunately, Employers of Record exist to help employers overcome this challenge.
What is An Employer of Record?
For any employers looking to hire remote workers in a country where they don’t have existing operations must work with an Employer of Record. This is a legal requirement if you don’t wish to open an office in Zimbabwe.
An Employer of Record (EOR) acts as the legal employer for your employees in Zimbabwe and will be responsible for many administrative and human resource-related tasks, including:
- Managing payroll
- Issuing benefits
- Filing taxes and making appropriate deductions
- Drafting contracts
An EOR will also ensure your business is compliant with Zimbabwe’s employment and tax laws and regulations. This allows you to focus on managing the day-to-day activities of your staff without feeling overwhelmed by the legal and tax implications.
The Benefits of Working With an EOR in Zimbabwe
Working with an EOR enables companies to quickly and seamlessly expand their workforce in a new country without the administrative burdens and legal challenges associated with setting up an office in Zimbabwe.
With an EOR in place, your business will also save a lot of time and money that would otherwise be spent setting up operations in Zimbabwe.
Areas an Employer of Record Can Help With
As previously mentioned, an EOR is responsible for the legal, administrative, and HR-related tasks associated with managing remote workers in Zimbabwe.
This includes:
Drafting Contracts and Legal Documents
The EOR will be responsible for drafting employment contracts along with any other required legal documentation.
Payroll Management
An EOR will ensure your team gets paid on time while also calculating and processing employee wages, tax and social security contributions, and other payroll-related expenses.
In Zimbabwe, employers must deduct 3.5 percent from an employee’s earnings which will go towards the National Social Security Authority (NSSA).
Issuing Benefits
An EOR will ensure your staff are receiving the benefits they are entitled to under Zimbabwe’s employment laws. This includes:
- Up to 98 days of paid maternity leave
- 90 days of paid sick leave
- A minimum of 30 paid vacation days
Borderless also provides medical, dental, life insurance, vision insurance, and retirement contributions.
Vacation and Public Holidays
In Zimbabwe, there are 10 public holidays that are considered paid non-working days.
This includes:
- January 1: New Year’s Day
- February 21: National Youth Day
- April 7 - 10: Easter
- April 18: Independence Day
- May 1: Worker’s Day
- May 25: Africa Day
- August 14: Heroes Day
- August 15: Defence Forces Day
- December 22: National Unity Day
- December 25: Christmas
What an EOR Doesn’t Help With
An EOR is not responsible for managing or overseeing day-to-day operations or any of the following tasks:
- Onboarding and training employees
- Managing employee communications
- Assigning projects
- Hosting team meetings
- Overseeing employee progress
As an employer, it’s your job to take care of the above responsibilities.
What to Look For in an EOR
When choosing an Employer of Record to take care of hiring and managing your staff in Zimbabwe, you should be considering the following factors:
Specialized Local Knowledge
It’s crucial that you do your research and find an EOR that has a team of legal experts specific to the country you are looking to hire from.
Your EOR should have a deep understanding of the employment laws and regulations in Zimbabwe and have the expertise to ensure your business is compliant with all applicable tax regulations and labor laws.
Easy-to-Use Online Solutions
Look for an EOR with an online platform that is user-friendly while still being powerful enough to offer numerous functions.
Services That Meet All Your Needs
An EOR should have the capacity to offer a wide range of services that meet all of your specific needs. Always make sure that your EOR is able to meet all of your requirements and is equipped to handle complex requests.
A Strong Customer Support Team
When it comes to employee retention, ensuring your staff is being paid on time and important administrative tasks are being managed is crucial. Because your EOR will be handling these responsibilities, having 24/7 customer support is essential in the event that any issues arise.
Steps For Hiring and Managing Employees Through an EOR in Zimbabwe
When working with an EOR, the process of hiring and managing workers in Zimbabwe involves the following steps:
- Determine the staffing needs of your business
- Begin your recruitment efforts
- Conduct interviews and check references
- Find a reliable Employer of Record
- Have your EOR draft employment contracts
- Onboard and train your Belgian employee(s)
- Your EOR will register the new employee with the Belgian authorities
- Your EOR will set up payroll and handle other HR tasks
- EOR will consistently make sure you are compliant with Belgian laws
- You focus on day-to-day operations and retention efforts
How Borderless Can Help You
Working with an Employer of Record is mandatory for any business looking to hire workers in Zimbabwe without having to deal with the challenges that come with setting up an office in another country. However, not all EORs are equipped to handle the unique needs and requirements of managing workers in Zimbabwe. For this reason, only work with an Employer of Record that is well versed in Zimbabwe’s complex laws and employment practices.
Borderless is an Employer of Record that is set up to help manage employees in over 150 countries, including Zimbabwe. Our platform is designed to help companies like yours grow their team and hire, pay, and manage Belgian workers while ensuring you are fully compliant with Zimbabwe’s tax and employment laws.
Contact our team at Borderless today to book a demo.
Disclaimer
Borderless does not provide legal services or legal advice to anyone. This includes customers, contractors, employees, partners, and the general public. We are not lawyers or paralegals. Please read our full disclaimer here.
