Pay rise for domestic workers from December 1

The Department of Labour announced on Monday an increase in the minimum wage for domestic workers from December 1.

However, the current minimum wages in many sectors – including domestic workers and farm workers – remains far below a living wage.

The South African Domestic Service and Allied Workers Union (SADSAWU) are not happy and said its members cannot survive on the salaries set down by the labour department.

“Domestic workers are by law classified as vulnerable, hence the Sectoral Determination governing minimum wage and conditions of employment,” the department said in a statement.

Domestic workers include housekeepers, gardeners, nannies and domestic drivers.

The department announced that in terms of Sectoral Determination 1: the minimum wages will be adjusted upwards for employees in Area A and Area B.

Area A refers to large metropolitan municipalities and built-up areas and suburbs while Area B is all other municipalities.

Ilembe District Municipality falls into area B, while Ethekwini Metropolitan is in area A.

For domestic workers who work more than 27 ordinary hours per week in Area A, the hourly rate has increased from R11,44 to R12,42, while the weekly rate has been increased from R514,82 to R559,09.

Domestic helpers should receive a minimum of R2 422,54 per month, which is R191,84 more than last year’s take-home.

A domestic helper who works in Area B and is employed for more than 27 ordinary hours per week should receive a minimum of R11,31 an hour, up from last year’s fee of R10,23.

The weekly rate will increase from R460,15 to R508,93 and the monthly fee will be no less than R2 205,16, up from R1 993,82.

Minimum wages are currently determined by sector, negotiated by bargaining councils and unions.

The complete Area list:

Bergrivier Local Municipality

Breederivier Local Municipality

Buffalo City Local Municipality

Cape Agulhas Local Municipality

Cederberg Local Municipality

City of Cape Town

City of Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality

City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality

Drakenstein Local Municipality

Ekurhulen Metropolitan Municipality

Emalahleni Local Municipality

Emfuleni Local Municipality

Gamagara Local Municipality

George Local Municipality

Hibiscus Coast Local Municipality

Karoo Hoogland Local Municipality

Kgatelopele Local Municipality

Khara Hais Local Municipality

Knysna Local Municipality

Kungwini Local Municipality

Kouga Local Municipality

Langeberg Local Municipality

Lesedi Local Municipality

Makana Local‚ Municipality

Mangaung Local Municipality

Matzikama Local Municipality

Metsimaholo Local Municipality

Middelburg Local Municipality

Midvaal Local Municipality

Mngeni Local Municipality

Mogale Local Municipality

Mosselbaai Local Municipality

Msunduzi Local Municipality

Mtubatu Local Municipality

Nama Khoi Local Municipality

Nelson Mandela

Nokeng tsa Taemane Local Municipality

Oudtshoorn Local Municipality

Overstrand Local Municipality

Plettenbergbaai Local Municipality

Potchefstroom Local Municipality

Randfontein Local Municipality

Richtersveld Local Municipality

Saldanha Bay Local Municipality

Sol Plaatjie Local Municipality

Stellenbosch Local Municipality

Swartland Local Municipality

Swellendam Local Municipality

Theewaterskloof

Local Municipality

Umdoni Local Municipality

uMhlathuze Local Municipality

Witzenberg Local Municipality.

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