Domestic workers pray for a miracle

Registered domestic workers on the North Coast are crossing their fingers for a salary increase from May next year while the fate of unregistered workers rests at the mercy of their employers.

Two weeks ago, labour minister Mildred Oliphant announced that the national minimum salary of R3 500 a month for those who worked 40 hours a week and R3900 for a 45-hour week, would come into effect from May 1 next year.

The labour department’s definition of a “domestic worker” includes housekeepers, gardeners, nannies as well as domestic drivers.

However, organiser for the South African Domestic Service and Allied Workers Union Eunice Dhladhla said the increase was not set in stone and was still being debated.

“We are hoping to fight for more as we realise that people cannot live on such a low salary. However, we refuse to settle for less than what is proposed.”

Currently the national minimum wage sits at R2422 for registered workers, a salary that hardly keeps them afloat for the month.

Unregistered workers are often left unprotected and are paid a lot less.

For registered stay-in domestic worker in La Mercy, Happiness Makhaya, a salary increase would mean that she could buy healthy food and proper uniforms for her four children.

She barely managers to provide for her family on her R2500 salary and often resorts to borrowing money from loan sharks.

“I have been working at the same place for 17 years and I was registered last year. It is hard because groceries are expensive and transport fees are also difficult.

“I earn R2500 and I work five days a week from 8am to 4.30pm. My duties include housekeeping, taking care of the children and feeding and washing the pets. I sacrifice seeing my own children grow up and it is sad to work so hard but not get paid enough to survive.”

According to a recent report by the International Labour Organisation, domestic workers in South Africa are the least protected around the world.

There are more than 220 000 domestic workers not registered with the Department of Labour.

Dion Nyaba from Glendale said the minimum wage increase would not affect him as he has not been registered by his employer.

He has been working as a gardener in Westbrook for one and a half years and earns R 2300 a month.

Research by the Pietermaritzburg Agency for Community Action (Pacsa) shows that food carrying the minimum requirements for a nutritious diet for a family of five is priced at R3,237.08.

The price of a bag of 25kg maize meal averaged at R207.99 in July this year.

According to Pasca, maize meal is the first food bought by the majority of South African households. Its price determines the money left over to buy all other essential foods.

“The money is really not enough to survive. I have to buy groceries for me and my family which comes up to about R700 for the things we need most. I also pay rent and send money to my family. I cannot force my boss to register me, I cannot benefit from UIF and I do not always get the increases that registered workers do,” said Nyaba.

With domestic workers being paid badly, sole supporters like Nompumelelo Mzulwini from Groutville are forced to work at several jobs to earn more.

“I work at three different places. I work at Ballito, Westbrook and Tongaat and my biggest challenge is money for transport as I travel from Groutville. I have been a domestic worker for 10 years and I have never been registered but I love my job because I like to take care of people. I only have time on weekends to spend with my family.”

South African Domestic Service and Allied Workers Union’s Eunice Dhladhla encouraged workers to push their employees to have them registered and report them to the labor department if they do not.

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