On behalf of the Portfolio Committee on Labour and in my capacity as chairperson, I encourage all workers and organised labour to be vigilant in ensuring that employers comply with the National Minimum Wage Act.
The Act became operational from January 1, 2019, setting the hourly wage at R20 for those workers who are not covered by the country’s dual wage-setting system.
The national minimum wage represents a marked increase in income for the more than six million workers of South Africa’s labour force, who were previously earning less than R20 an hour.
Farmworkers, domestic workers and workers employed in an Expanded Public Works Programme are entitled to an hourly rate of R18, R15 and R11 respectively.
The National Minimum Wage Commission will come up with a proposal for these categories to increase these salaries within two years. Parliament, through the Portfolio Committee on Labour, understands that the South African labour market is characterised by high levels of inequality, unemployment and poverty.
Statistics SA also reported that at the end of the third quarter of 2018, out of a labour force of 22.6 million, 16.4 million or 72.5% were employed.
Therefore, I encourage the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration and courts to be ready to intervene when non-compliance is reported.