News
Increase to National Minimum Wage – March 2020
UPDATED!!!! On the 18th of February 2020, the Minister for Labour and Employment (Thulas Nxesi) announced an increase to the National Minimum Wage which was first implemented on the 1st of January 2019. The increase of 3.8% will take effect on the 1st of March 2020.
As per Government Gazette 43026, we can state that the National Minimum Wage shall be increased from the 1st of March 2020 and shall henceforth be as follows for the following listed categories:
- National Minimum Wage: R 20.76 per hour;
- Domestic Workers: R 15.57 per hour;
- Contract Cleaning Staff Area A*: R 22.84 per hour;
- Contract Cleaning Staff Area B**: R 23.04 per hour;
- Contract Cleaning Staff Area C***: R 20.83 per hour;
- Farm Workers: R 18.68 per hour; and
- Workers in government expanded public works programme: R11.42 per hour.
It should also be noted that the same government gazette also amended the BCEA posters which are required to be displayed in any workplace.
*Area A means: Metropolitan Councils of City of Cape Town, Greater East Rand Metro, City of Johannesburg, Tshwane and Nelson Mandela. Local Council: Emfuleni, Merafong, Mogale City, Metsimaholo, Randfontein, Stellenbosch and Westonaria
**Area B Means All Areas in Kwazulu-Natal (Note that Conditions of Employment for KZN is governed by the Main Agreement for the Bargaining Council for the Contract Cleaning Service Industry in Kwazulu-Natal (BCCCI) published in Governement Gazette 38468 on 15 February 2015.
***Area C Means the Rest of South Africa
13 COMMENTS
Thank you
May you please send me a new cleaning rates in kzn pietermaritzburg
Good day, as per the article published in March: http://www.hrcity.co.za/2020/02/19/increase-to-national-minimum-wage-march-2020/ the rate for KZN is R 23.04 per hour.
Please could you let me what the increase in wages would have to be in 2021.
Previously it was gazetted that it had to be CPI + 1.5%, would this be applicable for the year 2021
Hi Mark
While everything during 2020/21 is more or less subject to COVID-19 related changes, the intention was to increase by CPI + 1.5%, however we have seen some information that appears to indicate an increase around 4.5%, this is not final yet and until Government Formally Gazettes any details, we are as in the dark as you.
Thanks for your reply
Any idea when it will gazetted and where to look out for it when it comes out or is published
It should be Gazetted before 1 March 2021 (Which is meant to be the implementation date), last year the increase was Gazetted on the 18th of February for implementation on 1 March.
Many thanks
Do you have a link for this , or a website I can visit to keep myself up to date
At present, subscribing to the Labour related Government Gazettes are the best way to try and keep abreast of developments, however here is a link to the recommendations made by the Commission on 20 November 2020. https://www.hrcity.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Minimum-wage-Commission-Report-20-11-2021.pdf
Hi Mark, the increase to the National Minimum Wage has been Gazetted, herewith a link for more details: https://www.hrcity.co.za/2021/02/08/increase-to-national-minimum-wage-march-2021/
Many thanks Eben, much appreciated for the update and sharing, very useful
Hi Eben,
had a look at the gazette, but it does not mention what the increase to those already earing above the minimum wage rate should be.
In the past it always mentioned CPI + 1.5% negotiated for a period of three years. would this still apply?
Would it be safe to say that those earing, in my case 14% + , than the minimum rate , would not be eligible for an increase.
we have lost out on huge amounts of monthly work due to Covid, and i dont think the business will survive if i have to increase all staffs wages by CPI + 1.5% ,
Look forward to a response.
Hi Mark, there is not a minimum increase at present, while the MWA makes provision for a minimum increase, to date that has not been done and therefore increases for employees earning above the minimum wage is meant to be negotiated individually or collectively where a trade union is involved.