Domestic workers’ minimum wage raised

EWS that the national minimum wage for domestic workers would increase next May has been met with both oy and concern.

During a recent Domestic Workers’ Imbizo at the Durban City Hall, Labour Minister, Mildred Oliphant told domestic workers the national minimum wage would increase to R3 500 a month for 40 hours (from R2 200) a week and R3 900 if they worked 54 hours (from R2 420). These changes are expected to be implemented in less than a year.

Although happy about the decision, domestic workers are uncertain if their current employers will comply, while some employers believe the amount is too high and will consider doing their own chores.

An uMlazi domestic worker, who declined to be named, said she worked for three families in Unit 7, Chatsworth, and earned R100 a day.

“I worked Monday to Saturday from 7am until 3pm and longer if need be. In a month, I earn R2 400 but if I don’t come to work I don’t get paid. Even if I want the day off, I won’t get paid,” said the mother of two.

The 32-year-old started cleaning homes about 10 years ago, as she could not find a job and with two children to care for, she was in desperate need of money.

“I fell pregnant with my first child when I was 18 and again when I was 21. I used to get help from their father and from the social grants but it was not enough. A friend, who was working in the area, told me a family needed a domestic worker twice in the week. I decided to take it.”

While working with the family, her employer referred her to two other homes.

“With the money I earn each month, I pay for transport to and from work. I buy food, electricity and things for my children. Before I know it the money is finished.”

She said if she earned between R3 500 to R3 900 it would make a huge difference.

“I start early in the morning… sometimes I don’t even say goodbye to my children before they leave for school. It is tough. The families I work for are good people. I get breakfast, lunch and a snack before I leave but I pray they will increase my salary.”

Another domestic worker, from Phoenix, said the increase would change her life.

“I earn about R80 and, because they give me a plate of food, they believe the payment is fair. I am up at dawn and leave late in the afternoon but I am still underpaid.”

The 32-year-old said employers, whether their domestic workers are registered or not, needed to comply with the minimum wage.

“I have a child and cannot get a job because I did not complete matric. The only thing I know how to do is clean.”

Pensioner Saras Pillay said she would not be able to pay her helper R3 500 a month.

“I get a grant of R1 600 a month and my children help me. With this grant, I pay my domestic worker R800 a month as she cleans twice a week. I see to my needs like food and my children pay my utility bills.”

The 65-year-old, of Clare Estate, lives alone and, due to her age, cannot do all her chores.

“I cannot afford to give her an increase let alone pay an amount of R3 500.”

A Chatsworth mother said she was unable to pay the minimum wage and would consider doing her own work.

The woman, who declined to be named, paid her domestic worker R100 a day and provided her with three meals daily.

“My husband is the sole breadwinner. With his salary, working as a manager at a car dealership, he takes care of my son and I. We pay our domestic worker R2 400 a month and buy her a few groceries like rice, maize and oil.”

She said if she was required by law to pay her helper the required amount, she would let her go. “We simply cannot afford it,” she said.

The spokesperson for South African Domestic Service and Allied Workers Union, Eunice Dhladhla, described the increase as a drop in the ocean.

“These proposed increases are not enough. Government needs to take pity on domestic workers as some of them are only earning R800. We get calls and visits from workers on a daily basis complaining about their wage.” Dhladhla said many of the domestic workers are single mothers and, in addition to this, they took care of elderly relatives.

“They are human beings as well and we need to take pity on them. The cost of living is so high, imagine what our domestic workers go through.” PRIVATE security guards have welcomed the new minimum wage increase of 6.4% by the Department of Labour which came into effect earlier this month.

According to department spokesperson Teboho Thejane, the new minimum wage for security guards in Area A, which constitutes major metropolitan areas, is R5 209, up from R4 896.

Grade B increased from R4 387 to R4 668, Grade C from R3 797 to R4 102 and Grade D and E from R3 792 to R4 102.

Thejane said the new minimum wage for security officers in Area 2, which comprised all other areas, was R4 323 for Grade A.

Grade B was R3 934 and Grade C, D and E were R3 414.

Explaining the grades, he said Grade A’s primary function would normally be a site manager or commander.

“The duties include controlling and managing a number of functions, including managing the security workforce, conducting risk assessments and evaluations on site daily, basic investigative skills, problem solving and designing security solutions.”

Thejane added that the Grade B function entailed access control in high-risk areas, where documentation and basic computer skills could be required.

“It may also be a site or shift commander. Duties include managing lower grade security officers and possibly doing site inspections, whereas the Grade C’s s primary function is access control of a higher risk area and supervision of lower grade security officers.”

Grade D and E focused on access control and patrolling.

A Chatsworth security guard, who declined to be named, said it was about time the grading was addressed.

“I am on the E grade (Area A) and will be earning just over R4 000. To some the R300 increase seems low, but for me it is going to help. I work from 6am to 6pm six days a week. I do this job because I don’t have a proper education or skills that can get me a better job,” he said.

Bills

With the money the 35-yearold earns, he pays his utility bills (about R1 000) and buys food for the month (about R2 000).

With the money left over he cares for his children.

“I am fortunate because my parents left their home to me and although I don’t pay a bond, I still find it difficult every month. To supplement our income, my wife runs a tuck shop from home.”

With the meagre profit she makes, they purchase stock and bread and milk for their household for the week.

“We live from pay cheque to pay cheque. We cannot afford any entertainment like going to the movies or out for supper. If we get take-out, it is only for a special occasion like someone’s birthday. For us to do something like this, we have to make cutbacks elsewhere.”

A Verulam father of three, who also declined to be named, believes the increase is insufficient.

“I am on Grade A and will earn just over R4 200 and it is not enough. I live in a two-bedroom outbuilding and pay a rental of R3 000 a month. I will be left with R1 200, which goes straight to my groceries.”

The 40-year-old said he was lucky his wife worked as cashier at a local supermarket and her wage was used to pay for their utility bills and toward the upkeep of their home.

“It is not easy, but we are trying to make it work.”