NATIONAL MINIMUM WAGE SET TO INCREASE

The National Minimum Wage Commission has presented a report recommending the following increases in the minimum wage:

• the general minimum wage is set to increase by inflation plus 1.5%. Presuming that inflation will be around 3%, the increase would be 4.5% on the current wage of R20.76 per hour. That would amount to an additional R182 per month, taking the monthly minimum wage to R4227.11;

• the wage for farmworkers, currently R18,68 per hour, is set to increase to the new general minimum wage of R21,69 per hour. This would amount to an increase of 16.1% or R586 per month; and

• the wage for domestic workers, currently R15,57 per hour, is proposed to increase to 88% of the new general minimum wage of R21,69 per hour. This would amount to an increase of 22.5% or R685 per month.