Make sure you are paying your domestic worker a wage in line with the Department of Labour in 2019

As the new year begins, employers of domestic workers should be aware that the minimum wage owed to workers has increased.

On a yearly basis, the Department of Labour adjusts the minimum salary of domestic workers – including housekeepers, gardeners, nannies, housecleaners and domestic drivers – that must be paid by their employers.

The Minister of Labour, Mildred Oliphant, updated the minimum wage requirements for domestic workers in both rural and urban areas across the country on 3 December 2018 when the change was published in the Government Gazette.

Although the change varies by region, below are the changes that Fourways residents should take note of:

• Minimum wage requirements are divided based on the number of hours worked by the employee. The salary is different for those who work 27 hours a week or less, compared to those who work more than 27 hours a week.

• Domestic workers working more than 27 hours per week must be paid at least R13.69 per hour (an increase of 64 cents compared to the previous year’s minimum), R616.03 a week (an increase of R28.63) and R2 669.24 a month (an increase of R124.02).

• Domestic workers working less than 27 hours per week must be paid at least R16.03 an hour (an increase of 75 cents compared to the previous years minimum), R432.78 a week (an increase of R20.18) and R1 875.22 a month (an increase of R87.42).

These figures will be accurate until the Department of Labour publishes updated guidelines specific to domestic workers to come into effect, or until affected by the new national minimum wage legislation.

For more information, visit www.labour.gov.za

Also check out:

https://www.citizen.co.za/fourways-review/281580/employers-need-know-domestic-workers-employment-rights/

https://www.citizen.co.za/fourways-review/289738/workplace-safety-tips-employers-employees-know/