The Department of Employment and Labour (DEL) has confirmed that the National Minimum Wage (NMW) will increase in March 2024. The news of the increment will come as a welcomed announcement for thousands of workers in South Africa.
Employment and Labour Minister Thulas Nxesi revealed the latest NMW determination, which will increase the rate from R25.42 to R27.58 for each ordinary hour worked.
The updated NMW encompasses vulnerable sectors such as farm workers and domestic workers, who were previously aligned with NMW rates from 2022.
Additionally, workers engaged in expanded public works programs will now receive a minimum wage of R15.16 per hour, up from R13.97. Those under learnership agreements specified in the Skills Development Act of 1998 are entitled to allowances as outlined in the latest government schedule.
The department indicated that the schedules for learnerships and sectoral determinations for Contract Cleaning and Wholesale and Retail sector employees will be made available on its website.
While the Act applies to all workers and employers, exceptions include members of the South African National Defence Force, the National Intelligence Agency, and the South African Secret Service. Volunteers, who do not receive remuneration for their services, are also exempt.
It's essential to note that the NMW constitutes the minimum amount employers are obligated to remunerate employees for their work, excluding various allowances, payments in kind, tips, bonuses, and gifts.
The NMW serves as the minimum threshold below which no employee should be paid. It was initially implemented in 2019 at a rate of R20 per hour, with violations subject to fines.
