Minimum wage R20/hr

MISSING: COSATU CONSULTING BEFORE SIGNING AGREEMENT

Struggling employers can apply for exemption, says deputy president.

The national minimum wage will be implemented from no later than May next year, according to Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa. Addressing journalists in Cape Town yesterday, Ramaphosa said the minimum wage would be R20 per hour.

“We are now embarking on a journey of improving the salaries of workers. This national minimum wage will be adjusted on an annual basis and regularly reviewed,” he said.

Ramaphosa said trade union federation Cosatu was not part of the agreement which was signed last weekend as they still had to report to their central executive committee.

Ramaphosa added the agreement was important in terms of stabilising the labour sector. He said employers who were having difficulty in complying with the national minimum wage would have to apply for an exemption and also give reasons why they could not. “The question arose on whether those who are part of the extended public works programme, partners in Nedlac, will still discuss this before concluding on the matter,” he said. Ramaphosa said an accord on collective bargaining and industrial action was also signed by the social partners. “All parties, through the negotiation process, committed themselves to prevent violence and destruction to property. The accord stressed that by all means, disputes must be resolved in a peaceful manner,” he said.

Ramaphosa said the signing of the agreement was not behind closed doors, stressing that all partners except Cosatu said “let us sign”.

“Cosatu was not going to consult but to report back.

“The president will be referring to this agreement and decide whether expectations were met.”

He said the agreements gave hope that challenges could be overcome. –

The signing of the agreement was not behind closed doors.