More money for hourly paid SA workers

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Labour Minister, Thulax Nxesi, has announced an increase to the minimum wage for each ordinary hour worked, raising it from R21.69 to R23.19 from next month.

The announcement on Tuesday comes just two days before President Cyril Ramaphosa delivers his state-of-the-nation address in which he may give more clarity on the possible introduction of a basic income grant or additional income support.

Nxesi said in a statement that as in previous years, the adjustment provides exceptions for several worker groups, including:

• Farmworkers are entitled to a minimum wage of R23.19 per hour;
• Domestic workers are entitled to a minimum wage of R23.19 per hour;
• Workers employed on an expanded public works programme are entitled to a minimum wage of R12.75 per hour;
• Workers who have concluded learnership agreements contemplated in section 17 of the Skills Development Act, 1998 (Act No 97 of 1998), are entitled to allowances contained in schedule 2.

 The Minister also warned that it would be illegal and unfair labour practice for an employer to unilaterally change working hours or other employment conditions in order to implement the NMW.

“The NMW is the amount payable for ordinary hours of work and excludes payment of allowances (such as transportation, tools, food, or lodging), payments in kind (board or lodging), tips, bonuses, and gifts,” he said.