THE minimum wage for domestic workers has been increased with effect from 1 December 2016. The department of labour has released updated minimum wage rates for the sector. Domestic workers include housekeepers, gardeners, nannies and domestic drivers.
The department announced the increase in terms of Sectoral Determination 1: the minimum wages will be adjusted upwards for employees in Area A and Area B. Area A refers to large metropolitan municipalities (eThekwini Muncipality) and built up areas and suburbs – Area B is all other municipalities.
- According to the increase, employees working more than 27 ordinary hours a week must earn R12.42 an hour (Area A) or R11.31 an hour (Area B).
- The minimum wages for domestic workers who work 27 ordinary hours per week or less must be paid R14.54 an hour (Area A) or R13.53 an hour (Area B)
“Domestic workers are by law classified as vulnerable, hence the Sectoral Determination governing minimum wage and conditions of employment,” the department said in a statement.
Contract cleaning employees’ minimum wages have also been adjusted upward with effect from 1 December 2016.
