Call for public comment on National Minimum Wage
WHILE the National Minimum Wage (NMW) is set at R23.19 per hour, a call has been made for public input on possible adjustments for next year.
The National Minimum Wage Commission has set the deadline for written submissions at
1 October 2022.
The NMW is an amount payable for ordinary hours of work and is applicable to all sectors, including farming and domestic workers.
Announcing the R23.19 adjustment for this year, Minister of Employment and Labour Thulas Nxesi said the increase would benefit about 892 000 domestic workers who are mostly women, and 800 000 farm workers.
The commission considers various factors in its recommendations for the adjustments. These include inflation, the cost of living, employers' ability to carry on their businesses successfully, and the operation of small-, medium-, or micro-enterprises and new enterprises.
It also probes the impact the recommended adjustment will have on employment or the creation of employment.
The NMW was first implemented at R20 per hour and adjusted in 2020 to R20.76 per hour.
It was adjusted for the first time last year to include farm workers at a rate of R21.69, while domestic workers had to be paid R19.09 per hour. The decision to shift the minimum wage last year for farm workers was criticised by Agri SA, a federation of agricultural organisations, saying it is unsustainable for the sector.
"Agri SA and its affiliates take the needs of farm workers and their families seriously, however, the poorest households are in need of access to employment, and to retain those in employment," said Agri SA.
"The immediate equalisation and increase will place many jobs in serious jeopardy, which could have been avoided.
"The pandemic continues to wreak havoc, and unemployment is on the increase. To approve a 16% increase, therefore, does not make sense."
Written submissions for possible adjustments for 2023 can be emailed to nmwreview@labour.gov.za