By: Natasha Archary
With effect from 01 March, South Africa’s minimum wages for domestic and farm workers will increase to R25,42.
The 9.6% increase from R23,19 an hour is set to effect all baseline sectors with a few exceptions.
This would mean that both domestic and farm workers are remunerated on par with the National Minimum Wage who all receive R25,42 an hour.
Exceptions to the minimum wage increase are as follows:
- Workers employed on Expanded Public Works – R13,97 per hour
- Workers with learnership agreements in terms of the Skills Development Act
Other sectors that will see the increase be put in effect are the Wholesale and Retail Sector.
This depends on the job category, the lowest of which is in line with R25,42 per hour rate.
Contract Cleaning Sector will now have to increase the minimum rates to R27,97/hour minimum in metropolitan areas and R25,50 per hour in some rural areas.
More details can be found in the Government Gazette.
Employers are reminded that the remuneration packages are restricted and this will exclude any allowances that are paid to employees which will enable them to work.
These include transport and equipment, boarding and accommodation, bonuses, tips and food.
Employers cannot argue that their employees are getting less than minimum wage because a contribution is made for uniform or meals.
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