domestic workers salaries to be increased
28 March 2008

The Department of Labour will be conducting public hearings to review conditions of employment and minimum wages of domestic workers.  Department officials will be visiting provinces to sensitise people about the new employment and minimum wages of domestic wages.  The current minimum wages were published in 2005 and are due for a lapse by the end of November 2008.

The Basic Conditions of Employment Act applies to all workers and except members of the National Defence Force, National Intelligence Agency, South African Secret Service and unpaid volunteers working for charities.  Departmental spokesperson Zolisa Sigabi told BuaNews that the new minimum wages will be effective as from 1 December 2008.

“This means that domestic workers will be entitled for salary increase,” said Ms Sigabi.  “We will be conducting road shows to all the provinces to sensitise people about the new minimum wages,” she said.

The department urges all domestic workers and employers to participate in these gatherings and make recommendations regarding proposed wages and conditions of employment.  Last year, the department announced new minimum wages for the hospitality industry which came effective on 1 July.

The law stipulates that companies employing ten or less people will have to pay their employees a minimum wage of R1 400 a month, while those employing ten or more people will have to pay R1 650 a month.

In terms of the new determination under the Basic Conditions of Employment Act, businesses associated with the hospitality industry will have to pay employees such as waiters a minimum wage.

Edwin Tshivhidzo, www.buanews.gov.za