Nxesi Announces New Minimum Wage for SA

Labour minister Thulas Nxesi has announced a new minimum wage of R23.19  for each ordinary hour worked.

This represents an increase of 6.9% from the minimum wage of R21.69 set in 2021

The details have been published in the Government Gazette on Monday.

Nxesi said the change will take effect from 1 March 2022.

The Commission considered a number of factors when determining the annual adjustment including inflation, the cost of living, and the need to maintain the value of the minimum wage; gross domestic product; wage levels and collective bargaining outcomes among others.

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.

The national minimum wage 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.