The minister stated in a gazette released on Monday evening (7 February) that the national minimum wage is now R23.19 for each ordinary hour worked. This modification will take effect on March 1, 2022.
This represents a 6.9% increase over the 2021 minimum wage.
Unlike in past years, no specific worker categories have been exempted, with the minimum wage for domestic employees and farmworkers being fixed at R23.19 each average hour worked as part of a planned equalisation push. Domestic workers will see a 21.5% boost in pay.
The changes are in response to the National Minimum Wage (NMW) Commission’s recent recommendations that domestic worker salaries be increased to 100% of the National Minimum Wage.
The Act set the minimum wage for domestic employees at 75% of the National Minimum Wage in 2020. The Commission proposed that it be increased to 88% of the national minimum wage in 2021 and 100% in 2022.
Workers in the extended public works program are entitled to R12.75 per hour.
The National Minimum Wage Act was first declared in 2018, establishing a historic precedent in the protection of low-wage (vulnerable) workers in South Africa and offering a platform for lowering inequality and massive income gaps in the national labor market.
The national minimum wage of R20 per hour was first enforced on January 1, 2019. The minimum wage base rate was increased to R21.69 per hour on March 1, 2021.
According to the legislation, it is an unfair labor practice for an employer to unilaterally change working hours or other employment circumstances in order to apply the national minimum wage.
The national minimum wage is the amount paid for typical hours of labor and excludes allowances (such as transportation, tools, food, or lodging), payments in kind (board or lodging), tips, bonuses, and gifts.
When determining the annual adjustment, the National Minimum Wage Commission considers the following factors: inflation, the cost of living, and the need to maintain the value of the minimum wage; GDP; wage levels and collective bargaining outcomes; productivity; employers’ ability 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 o
What is the hourly minimum wage in 2022?
Minister Thulas Nxesi has announced hikes to the National Minimum Wage until 2022. TW Nxesi, Minister of Employment and Labour, announced that the National Minimum Wage (NMW) for each regular hour worked has been increased from R21,69 to R23.19 for the fiscal year 2022, effective March 1, 2022.
What is a reasonable hourly wage in South Africa?
In 2022, the minimum hourly wage in South Africa will be 23.19 South African rand (1.59 US dollars). This was an increase from 21.69 South African rand (1.48 US dollars) per hour the previous year.
How much money do you need to live comfortably in South Africa?
While the average South African earns R23,982 per month, experts estimate that R45 000 is required to live comfortably.
