Employment and Labour Minister Thulas Nxesi announced that the National Minimum Wage (NMW) for each ordinary hour worked will increase to R27.58 with effect from 01 March 2024.
It is an increase of 8.5% on the minimum wage of R25.42 per hour until the end of February 2024.
Take note that this minimum wage of R27.58 per hour is also applicable to:
- Farm workers &;
- Domestic workers
A domestic worker includes cleaners, babysitters, gardeners, drivers and any other employees in private households.
As in previous years, the adjustment provides exceptions for:
- Workers employed on an expanded public works programme are entitled to a minimum wage of R15.16 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.
It is illegal and unfair labour practice for an employer to unilaterally change working hours or other employment conditions 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.
If you have any enquiries, please do not hesitate to contact anelv@fhbc.co.za