Africa-Press – Zimbabwe. The Consumer Council of Zimbabwe (CCZ) has reported that the cost of living for a family of six surged from $35 877 in April to $40 680 this month going yonder workers’ salaries.
following relentless price hikes stemming from currency volatilities and market jitters triggered by an ad hoc law forcing businesses to peg prices at official rates. The CCZ said:
_The cost of living as measured by the Consumer Council of Zimbabwe’s low-income urban earner monthly basket for a family of six increased from the end of April figure of $35 877,92 to 40 682,84 by June 9 2021, showing an increase of $4 804,92 or 13,39%._
_The food basket increased by $1 504,23 or 9,83% from $15 303,88 by end of April 2021 to $16 808,11 by June 9 2021._
_The price of detergents increased by $172,69 or 16,74% from $1 031,54 to $1 204,23._
_According to the recent survey, most suppliers and outlets did not reduce their prices in Zimbabwe dollars to align their pricing with the requirements of SI 127, instead they priced products higher in USD terms to make sure they get round about the same they were getting in local currency before SI 127 of 2021._
In May, the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency said the average cost of living for a family of five rocketed to $28 853, with prices rocketing at a faster pace in Mashonaland Central, where consumers required $32 540 to fill up the family basket.
This is happening when the current lowest-paid teacher is reportedly getting $13 300 (US$156 official rate or US$95 black market), down from US$520-US$550 they were getting until 2018.
More: Pindula News; NewsDay
