Pay rise for domestic workers

The South African labour department has announced that the minimum wage for domestic workers will increase between 8 and 10% depending on the area from December 1.

The pay rise will benefit all domestic workers around the country, regardless of the area they work in and the number of hours they work every week.

The country is divided into areas A and B.

For domestics working in ‘Area A’, which includes KwaZulu-Natal municipalities Ethekwini Metropolitan and Umgeni Local, an increase of 8% will be granted.

The department of labour has released a list of all municipalities that fall under ‘Area A’, while all municipalities not mentioned fall under ‘Area B’.

Domestic workers living in ‘Area B’, which includes KwaDukuza, Mandeni, Maphumulo and Ndwedwe local municipalities, can expect an increase of 10% to see them into the next year.

An increase of the same amount is expected for 2017, which guarantees annual salary raises for domestic workers nationwide.

The department has cautioned that employers who fail to comply with the new labour rates will be taken to the labour court.

For the full area listings, visit the labour department’s website here.

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