Workers should not be paid less than the set minimum wage

Thursday, February 15, 2018

The Department of Labour says all workers who do not fall under the farm/forestry, domestic sectors, Extended Public Works Programme (EPWP) and learnerships should not be paid less than the set R20 minimum wage per hour. 

The department’s Director: Employment Standards, Stephen Rathai, reminded workers in Upington in Northern Cape that the minimum wage is expected to be implemented from 1 May 2018. Rathai was addressing attendees at a workshop on the National Minimum Wage (NMW). 

According to the NMW Bill, the farm/forestry sector’s minimum wage is R18 an hour, which is 90% of the set minimum wage. The domestic sector will get 75%, which amounts to R15. EPWP workers will get 55%, which is R11, whereas the wage for learnership agreements are set out in Schedule 2 of the National Minimum Wage Bill. 

“Employers may not pay wages that are below the minimum wage. The NMW cannot be varied by a contract, collective agreement or law. 

“The Bill states that NMW constitutes a term of the worker’s contract, except to the extent that the contract provides for a more favourable wage. The Bill further states that it is unfair labour practice for an employer to unilaterally alter hours of work or other conditions of employment in implementing the NMW,” Rathai said. 

The NMW and amendments to labour legislation worker briefing sessions will be concluded on Friday, 16 February at the Horseshoe Inn & Airport Hotel, Memorial Road in Kimberley.

The briefing session will be held from 10:00 - 13:00. – SAnews.gov.za