Pay your domestic worker more
This depends entirely on how many hours they work per week.
A new law to increase the minimum wage payable to domestic workers took effect this week (Monday, 1 December).
According to the Department of Labour, the definition of domestic worker includes housekeepers, gardeners, nannies and domestic drivers.
The extent of the increase depends on the location of the employer, as well as whether the employee works for more than 27 hours per week
As reported by an online article, research conducted showed as many as 45% of workers are paid below the established minimum wage.
Department minister Mildred Oliphant said in a press statement that 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 and built up areas and suburbs – Area B is all other municipalities.
This is how the minimum wages for domestic workers will be adjusted:
• If they work for more than 27 hours a week in Area A, they should not be paid less than an hourly rate of R11.44.
• If they work for less than 27 hours a week in Area A, they should not be paid less than an hourly rate of R13.39.
• Any domestic worker who works more than 27 hours a week in Area B should not be paid less than an hourly rate of R10.23
• A domestic worker who works less than 27 hours a week in Area B should be paid not less than an hourly rate of R12.07
The new determination will be effective until the end of November 2016.
Employers of domestic workers who already pay those workers above the new legislated minimums are under no obligation to increase their workers’ wages.
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