New minimum wage for domestic, garden and other workers

The Labour Minister, Thulas Nxesi has gazetted new minimum wages for various categories of South African workers, effective from the 1st of March 2021.

In terms of the gazetted regulations, the new national minimum wage for general workers of various categories is R21.69 per ordinary working hour while it is now R19.09 for domestic workers.

Apart from house cleaning work, the domestic workers category also includes gardeners, drivers and people who look after children, the aged, sick, frail or disabled in a private household (but not on a farm).

The new general minimum wage represents an increase of 4.5% from last year while the wage applicable to domestic workers has been hiked by 23%. It is still below the national wage but is expected to be on par by 2022.

The National Minimum Wage Commission recommended the 4.5% increase on the basis of 1.5% increase plus an inflationary increase of 3% on the basis that inflation for poorer households is significantly higher than for higher-income earners due to the relatively sharp increase in food prices. 

The Commission aims to gradually achieve a single minimum wage rate across all sectors.

It should be noted that the above minimum wage amounts are payable for ordinary hours of work exclusive of payment of allowances such as transport, tools, food or accommodation,  payments in kind such as board or lodging, tips, bonuses and gifts.

For more information on the minimum wages applicable to various categories of workers, see:

https://www.businessinsider.co.za/all-the-new-minimum-wages-2021-domestic-workers-2021-2

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