Cape Town — The Minister of the Department of Employment and Labour (DEL), Nomakhosazana Meth, confirmed that the National Minimum Wage would be adjusted from R27.58 to R28.79 per hour.
In a statement, the DEL said it obligates employers to pay workers a minimum amount per hour and the National Minimum Wage is subject to annual review and increases from 1 March.
“The National Minimum Wage amendment is enforced by law and binding from 1 March 2025. Violations of the Act are subject to fines. The National Minimum Wage determination includes vulnerable sectors such as farm workers and domestic workers, who since 2022, were aligned with the NMW rates,” Department spokesperson, Teboho Thejane, said.
The Department said the National Minimum Wage is the minimum an employer can legally pay its employees, and no one should earn below the National Minimum Wage. The Department authorised a 4.2% increase that will apply to all workers and cannot be varied by contract, collective agreement or law.
Minister of Employment and Labour @Meth_Khosi adjusts the #NationalMinimumWage to R28,79 per hourhttps://t.co/IB48f6eeNH#Yazini #ServicedeliveryZA #GovZAUpdates pic.twitter.com/hXXqo4y9En
— Department of Employment and Labour (@deptoflabour) February 5, 2025
The Department also issued some exceptions regarding the National Minimum Wage. Workers hired under the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) will get an increase from R15.16 per hour to R15,83. The Department listed the Sectors to which the National Minimum Wage does not apply.
“The NMW Act applies to all workers and their employers except members of the South African National Defence Force, the National Intelligence Agency and the South African Secret Service,” Thejane said.
“The NMW does not apply to a volunteer, who is a person who performs work for another person and who does not receive or is not entitled to receive, any remuneration for his or her service,” Thejane added.
The Department also said the increase does not apply to payment allowances, room and board, bonuses or tips.
Minister Meth said the Department wanted to show that workers receive their dues and are not exploited for their services.
“We are committed to the implementation of social protection initiatives and wage increases, such as the introduction and implementation of the National Minimum Wage, as this ensures that workers receive their dues and are not exploited for the services they render. Every employer may not pay wages that are below the minimum wage,” says Minister Meth.
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Compiled by Matthew Petersen
