South Africa’s national minimum wage will rise to R30,23 per hour, effective from 1 March, announced Employment and Labour Minister Nomakhosazana Meth on 3 February. The increase from R28,79 represents a R1,44 (4,4%) uplift that will benefit all workers, including farm and domestic workers.
Workers employed under the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) will see their minimum wage rise from R15,16 to R16,62 per hour. The lower rate applies here because EPWP workers are employed under a special dispensation. Workers on learnership agreements under the Skills Development Act of 1998 are entitled to allowances detailed in Schedule 2 of the regulations. These rates will be published on the department’s website.
The National Minimum Wage Act, which came into effect in 2019, requires employers to pay workers a minimum amount per hour. The rate is subject to annual review. The Department of Employment and Labour stated that the minimum wage could not be varied by contract, collective agreement or law.
Unilaterally altering hours of work or other employment conditions to manipulate the effect of the adapted minimum wage constitutes unfair labour practice. Violations of the act are subject to fines enforced by the department’s inspectorate and the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration.
Updated rates for the contract cleaning sector and wholesale and retail sector are available on the department’s website at labour.gov.za.
The Act applies to all workers except members of the South African National Defence Force, the National Intelligence Agency and the South African Secret Service.
It also excludes volunteers who perform work without receiving remuneration.
The minimum wage does not include allowances such as for transport, tools, food, accommodation; neither payments in kind, tips, bonuses or gifts.
The minimum wage is applicable to workers in the following sectors:
■ general workers – employees in the formal and informal sectors, including retail, manufacturing, and hospitality;
■ domestic workers – includes house cleaners, gardeners, drivers for a private household, and caregivers for children, the elderly, or people who disability as well as
■ farm workers – individuals employed in connection with farming or forestry activities.
