Sonja Vorster
The large majority of the public are employed in the retail and wholesale sector. Basically, you fall as an employer or employee in this classification if you have or work in a shop or warehouse, selling or distributing merchandise.
The legislation defines the sector very clearly. Employers paying below the rates are in breach of the law. Many employers find it difficult in these tough economical times to pay these rates.
This can be alleviated if you obtain the correct advice to classify your employees correctly. Many retailers are overstaffed or have employees that are unproductive. With careful evaluation you may find that you are not only able to save costs but are able to pay the correct rates.
The legislation is reviewed yearly and the period runs from 1st of March 2016 to the 28th of February 2017. Care must be taken that the physical job the employee does is defined. To simply classify an employee as a general assistant is not correct.
The activity the employee does is what defines the employee’s position. 15 plus positions are listed in the Wholesale and Retail amendment Sectoral Determination no 9, Government Gazette 39671.
Due to limitations of space, I am only going to deal with employees working a 45-hour week or a full month of 195 hours. Different rates apply for employees working 27 hours or less or if less than 10 employees are employed.
Senior/managerial employees earning R17 119,44 per month do not qualify for overtime remuneration. If an employee earns below this amount per month they qualify for overtime payment or time off in lieu of overtime worked.
General Assistant/Trolley Collector – R2714.49 per month.
Security Guard – R3038.66 p/m.
Driver >3500kg – R2802.68 p/m.
Merchandiser/Shop Asst/Checker – R2948.51 p/m.
Cashier – R3120.84 p/m.
Baker/Deli Asst/Block man/Sales person/Sales Asst/Clerk – R3693.08 p/m.
Displayer – R3569.34 p/m.
Supervisor – R4479.69 p/m.
Asst Manager – R5275.20 p/m.
Trainee Manager – R4788.23 p/m.
Manager – R5720.40 p/m.
