The South Africa Minister of Employment and Labor has announced adjustments to the national minimum wage, which will take effect March 1.

The national minimum wage will increase from 27.58 rand ($1.49) to 28.79 rand ($1.56) per ordinary hour worked, effective March 1. This reflects an increase of approximately 4.38%, which is slightly below the recommendation made by the National Minimum Wage Commission. It had proposed aligning increases with the consumer price index plus 1.5%.

The following sector-specific minimum wage rates will apply:

Workers engaged in Expanded Public Works Programs

• Minimum hourly rate will increase from 15.16 rand ($0.82) to 15.83 rand ($0.86).

Contract cleaning services sector (rates vary by region)

• Metropolitan councils (City of Cape Town, Greater East Rand Metro, City of Johannesburg, Tshwane, and Nelson Mandela Bay): Employees will be entitled to a minimum hourly rate of 31.69 rand ($1.71).
• KwaZulu-Natal: Minimum wage rates must comply with those set out in the Bargaining Council for the Contract Cleaning Service Industry’s collective agreement.
• All other areas: Employees will be entitled to a minimum hourly rate of 28.89 rand ($1.56).

During the public comment period, when parties were allowed to make submissions to the National Minimum Wage Commission to inform the adjustment, trade unions called for stricter enforcement of South Africa’s minimum wage legislation. The Congress of South African Trade Unions has urged the Department of...

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