South Africa’s Domestic Worker Sector is to have a new upwardly adjusted minimum wage with effect from 1 December 2016.
The latest relief ahead of the festive season will be applicable until 30 November 2017. The minimum wage adjustment is in line with the Basic Conditions of Employment Act which is regulated through the Sectoral Determination. Domestic Workers are by law classified as vulnerable, hence the Sectoral Determination governing minimum wage and conditions of employment.
The new sectoral determination of domestic workers prescribes that the minimum wages for domestic workers who work more than 27 ordinary hours per week will earn as follows:
- Area A (those in major metropolitan areas) will earn R12.42 (R11.44: 2015/2016) hourly rate, R559.09 (R514.82: 2015/2016 ) weekly rate and R2422.54 (R2230.70: 2015/2016) monthly rate.
- Area B (those not mentioned in Area A) R11.31 (R10.23: 2015/2016) hourly rate, R508.93 (R460.15: 2015/2016) weekly rate and R2205.17 (R1993.82: 2015/2016) monthly rate.
While the Minimum wages for domestic workers from 1 December 2014 to 30 November 2015 who work 27 ordinary hours per week or less is as follows:
- Area A (those in major metropolitan areas) is R14.54 (R13.39: 2015/2016) hourly rate, R392.58 (R361.50: 2015/2016) weekly rate and R1701.06 (R1566.35: 2015/2016) monthly rate.
- Area B (those not mentioned in Area A) R13.53 (R12.07: 2015/2016) hourly rate, R360.54 (R325.98: 2015/2016) weekly rate and R1562.21 (R1412.49: 2015/2016) monthly rate.
In terms of Sectoral Determination Area A includes: 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, Ethekwini Metropolitan Unicity, 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 and Witzenberg Local Municipality.
Domestic workers include housekeepers, gardeners, nannies, domestic drivers among others.
When determining the monthly payment of a domestic employee, one should take into account the value of fringe benefits provided, for instance the provision of food during the day, the provision of a travel allowance, the provision of work clothes (overalls or similar) and where a domestic worker has a “sleep in” job, the value of such a room, electricity and water.
We also remind that all domestic workers should have a valid employment contract and should be registered for UIF and should receive a document, resembling a payslip, to confirm payment of a weekly/monthly amount of salary.
Please contact the Labour Department at Stegmanns Inc. should you need assistance to become compliant with labour laws.
By Isa Vorster