Minimum Wage seeks to bridge the gap

The National Minimum Wage Bill was passed by the National Assembly at the end of May, in a bid to tackle wage inequality in South Africa. Carletonville in Johannesburg expressed that she is thankful for the minimum wage and trusts that it will change the plight of her family.

“Once passed into law, I’ll definitely be in a better position to look after my family and put on food on the table.”

Khambule said she hopes that the minimum wage will also improve the dynamics for domestic workers throughout South Africa who are overworked.

“I must say that I am pleased that Government decided to look into ways to pay us better. This shows that our trade is being taken seriously,” said Khambule.

The evolving minimum wage

South Africa has seen the minimum wage evolved over the years in a quest to bridge the gap between the rich and poor while also giving workers’ rights to basic wages.

2001- The South African minimum wages were set at R800 for those workers in areas of the country where average household income is more than R24 000 per year and at R650 for those where average household income is less than R24 000 per year.

2003 - The a new minimum wages for farm workers were revised and stood at R1 041 per month. In urban areas the minimum wage was R1 041 but rural areas the minimum wage was R989. 2009 –The minimum wage for farm workers stood at R6,31 or R1 231 monthly. 2010 – The minimum wage for farm workers increased R674 or R1 316 monthly. 2014 – Minimum wages for domestic workers in major metropolitan areas stood at R12,40 hourly, weekly R334,74 and monthly R1 450,33. Those not working in major metros would receive an hourly rate of R10,98, weekly R296,35, and monthly R1 284.09.