BUDGETING today is rather like navigating a minefield, you don’t know what is going up next.
As food, transport and fuel prices increase, consumers continue to find themselves at the bottom of the line.
After unemployment statistics hit a 14-year high of between an estimated 27.7 per cent, to 36.4 per cent in June this year, last week a report by Statistician-General Pali Lehohla, revealed the shocking news that more than 30 million South Africans are languishing in poverty.
Effectively, this means that one in seven South Africans find themselves in extreme food poverty, surviving on R441 or less per person per month.
ALSO READ: Poverty is on the rise in South Africa
Despite the minimum wage set at R3,500 per month for workers on a 40-hour week and R3,900 per month for a 45-hour week, domestic workers are among the most exploited workers.
On Sunday, Minister of Labour, Mildred Oliphant, and eThekwini Mayor, Zandile Gumede, hosted an Imbizo with domestic workers to educate and interact with them on labour related matters.
Speaking to Berea Mail, Sibongile Thwala mother of six said she has two “madams” whom she goes to three times a week.
“I go to my old madam every Monday and Wednesday. I have been working for her for over ten years but at first it was every day. The other one I only work on Fridays. I have been with her for three years. Times are tough, as a domestic worker food is expensive, transport is also increasing every month. When I started I got R1000, then it went down to R850. Now she has told me that she will pay me R100 a day whenever she needs me to come. Sadly we had nothing written down on paper like a contract or anything.”
ALSO READ: An ordinary woman doing extraordinary work in her community
Thwala explained that her salary is never constant. “Sometimes it is R900 sometimes R2200. It is never one straight amount. If you ask why, you can get into trouble for asking questions or lose your job,” said Thwala.
Echoing Thwala’s sentiments, Sizakele Gwevuma from Inanda, said she came to the Imbizo to get a clear understanding on how much domestic workers are suppose to be paid.
“It is confusing because sometimes you earn more, sometimes it’s less, you cannot plan based on your salary. I am more fortunate because my kids are now old and they can support me. We just want assistance from government, they don’t need to tell us about poverty we know it, it lives with us,” said Gwevuma.
Do you want to receive news alerts via WhatsApp? Send us a WhatsApp message (not an sms) with your name and surname to 060 532 5535.
You can also join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
