Domestic and mineworkers will benefit from the increase of the National Minimum Wage (NMW) rates.

Employment and labour minister Nomakhosazana Meth announced that the NMW rates have been adjusted from R27.58 to R28.79 for each ordinary hour worked, from March 1.

The implementation of the National Minimum Wage was introduced in South Africa in 2019, making it an obligation for employers to pay workers a minimum amount per hour.

The minister announced that the NMW amendment was enforced by law and, therefore, binding.

She said violations of the act were subject to fines, and that the wage determination included vulnerable sectors such as farmworkers and domestic workers, whom since 2022, have been aligned with the NMW rates.

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Meth said no employee should be paid below the NMW and that the increase shall apply to all workers.

She said this cannot be varied by contract, collective agreement or law; and it is also an unfair labour practice for an employer to unilaterally alter hours of work or other conditions of employment in implementing the NMW.

There are exceptions on the application of the NMW because of special dispensation under which there are workers employed on expanded public works programme who are entitled to a minimum wage of R15.83, from R15.16 per hour.

Those who have concluded learnership agreements as contemplated in Section 17 of the Skills Development Act of 1998, are entitled to the allowances as determined in the latest Government Gazette schedule and these will be published on the department’s website: www.labour.gov.za.

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The website also explains in detail the adjustments of certain sectors rates, including for the cleaning, wholesale and retail sectors.

Although the NMW Act applies to all workers and their employers, it does not apply to members of the South African National Defence Force, the National Intelligence Agency and the South African Secret Service.

It also does not apply to volunteers who are not entitled to receive any form of remuneration and who does not receive any payment for the work done.

The minister pointed out that the amount did not include payment of allowances (such as transport, tools, food or accommodation) payments in kind (board or lodging), tips, bonuses and gifts.

“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,” said Meth.