New Germany domestic worker hopes for decent pay as minimum wage increase

THE National Minimum Wage (NMW) increased to R21.69 per hour from 1 March.

For domestic worker Fikile Mbatha, this announcement is welcomed even though she said she was unsure if her employer would increase her salary accordingly.

The 93c increment was announced by Employment and Labour Minister, Thulas Nxesi early in February.

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Mbatha said she has worked for 20 years as a domestic worker and lives from hand to mouth.

The mother of two said at her previous job, she earned R1500 of which R800 was used for transport, only leaving her with R700 for the month.

“I grew up up in difficult circumstances as my mother passed away when I was very young.

“I am not educated and being a domestic worker is the only job I have done and know,” said the New Germany resident.

The 43-year-old, said she welcomes and appreciates whatever money is offered to her so that her children can eat.

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“I am a single mother who wants to see my children prosper in life and not face the same hurdles I experienced while growing up,” said a sobbing Mbatha.

The minimum wage is a tool to ensure that vulnerable workers do not fall below the poverty line and is designed to reduce inequality and huge disparities in income in the national labour market.

According to the Act, it is illegal and an unfair labour practice for an employer to unilaterally alter hours of work or other conditions of employment in implementing the NMW.

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The NMW is the amount payable for the ordinary hours of work and does not include payment of allowances (such as transport, tools, food or accommodation), payments in kind (board or lodging), tips, bonuses and gifts.

The Act requires that the NMW Commission review the rates annually and make recommendations to the Minister on any adjustment of the national minimum wage, while also reflecting on alternative views, including those of the public.

“In considering the annual adjustment, the Commission considered the following factors: inflation, the cost of living, and the need to retain the value of the minimum wage; gross domestic product; wage levels and collective bargaining outcomes; productivity; ability of employers to carry on their businesses successfully; the operation of small, medium or micro-enterprises and new enterprises, and the likely impact of the recommendation adjustment on employment or the creation of employment,” Nxesi said.

“In line with the Basic Conditions of Employment Act (BCEA), the increase in the NMW will mean that wages prescribed in the sectoral determinations that were higher than the NMW at its promulgation, must be increased proportionally to the adjustment of the National Minimum Wage. Therefore, the Contract Cleaning and Wholesale and Retail Sector will also have their wages upwardly adjusted by 4.5 per cent.”

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