The Department of Employment and Labour has announced the increment of the National Minimum Wage for 2025.
The rate will be adjusted from R27,58 to R28,79 per hour, from 01 March.
The announcement was gazetted by the Department Minister, Nomakhosazana Meth, and she reiterated the commitment to protect workers against exploitation and ensure that they’re remunerated accordingly.
“The National Minimum Wage amendment is enforced by law and binding from 01 March 2025.
Violations of the Act are subject to fines.
The National Minimum Wage determination includes vulnerable sectors such as farm workers and domestic workers, whom since 2022 were aligned with the NMW rates.
The National Minimum Wage is the minimum amount of pay that an employer is legally required to remunerate employees for work done.
No employee should be paid below the National Minimum Wage,” Meth emphasised.
The Minister also highlighted the exceptions under which the new rate will apply.
“However, because of special dispensation under which they’re hired workers employed on expanded public works programme are entitled to a minimum wage increase of R15,83 from R15,16 per hour.
Those who have concluded learnership agreements as contemplated in section 17 of the Skills Development Act, 1998, are entitled to the allowances as determined in the latest government gazette,” explained Meth.
Meanwhile, the Congress of South African Trade Unions, (COSATU) has welcomed the increase, despite having tabled a higher proposal.
“This positive increase will help protect the value of the NMW and worker’s ability to take care of their families.
It’ll inject badly needed stimulus into the economy, spurring growth, sustaining and creating badly needed jobs.
It’ll provide relief to 6 million workers earning within the NMW range in particular, farm, domestic, construction, retail, transport, hospitality, security and cleaning workers,” remarked COSATU’s Parliamentary Coordinator, Matthew Parks.
The minister has warned employers against non-compliance in the implementation of the 4.2% increase.
