Article: National minimum wage in SA?

Cosatu will discuss implementing a national minimum wage in all sectors, at its congress starting on Monday.

"An initial national minimum wage set at say R2800, while still low, would have an immediate positive impact on millions of workers...," the Congress of SA Trade Union's said in its organisational report.
 
R2800 is at least reasonable. To expect someone to work full time for less is pretty cruel I reckon, even if they have zero skills.
 
National minimum wage will push our unemployment figures up again.
 
biometrics said:
What is the current minimum wage?
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There appears to be no general minimum wage - it depends on the industry and location.


Minimum Wages for the vulnerable

The Basic Conditions of Employment Act (BCEA) permits the Minister of Labour to set minimum terms and conditions of employment, including Minimum Wages. In South Africa, the Minimum Wage is directed at those who are often most vulnerable in the workplace. The Minister is advised in this regard by a body called the Employment Conditions Commission. Vulnerable sectors or areas are those with no unions or very little union activity and where wages tend to be low.

These sectors are:

• Domestic work sector

• Contract cleaning

• Private security sector

• Wholesale and retail

• Farm worker sector

• Forestry sector

• Taxi sector

• Learnerships

• Children in the performance of advertising, artistic and cultural activities

Different Minimum Wage rates

Minimum Wage rates may differ across geographical areas - for example, if one works in a city or rural environment. They may also differ in terms of pay periods (daily, monthly or yearly). Job function, years of experience and working hours are also factors.
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Makes alot more sense to have a minimum wage determined by the sector, than this blanket minimum wage...
 
Messugga said:
R2800 is at least reasonable. To expect someone to work full time for less is pretty cruel I reckon, even if they have zero skills.
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It sounds reasonable until you realise that a significant portion of employment comes from domestic work and not every family can afford to pay their domestic workers R2800 per month when they themselves are barely making ends meet.
I'm looking at employing a full time nanny from next year and R3000 is the absolute maximum I can afford to pay which not much more than the proposed minimum wage.
One hickup in my finances and guess what/who is going to get cut first ...

Minimum wages will only create more unemployment.
 
the minimum wage effectively makes it illegal to help poor people. It outlaws employers to give their employees the opportunity to allow them to improve their skills.
 
Paul_S said:
It sounds reasonable until you realise that a significant portion of employment comes from domestic work and not every family can afford to pay their domestic workers R2800 per month when they themselves are barely making ends meet.
I'm looking at employing a full time nanny from next year and R3000 is the absolute maximum I can afford to pay which not much more than the proposed minimum wage.
One hickup in my finances and guess what/who is going to get cut first ...

Minimum wages will only create more unemployment.
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Can't argue with that. Handling it per industry would probably be a better way then though. The industries that generally can afford it should be moderated, but those such as housekeepers should work on a basis of they work for whatever they are willing to work for. Fair enough?
 
There is a minimum wage for domestics. R8.34 per hour.
 
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Farmers will get beat down badly by this. 20 workers at R2800 a pop? You high?
 
Paul_S said:
It sounds reasonable until you realise that a significant portion of employment comes from domestic work and not every family can afford to pay their domestic workers R2800 per month when they themselves are barely making ends meet.
I'm looking at employing a full time nanny from next year and R3000 is the absolute maximum I can afford to pay which not much more than the proposed minimum wage.
One hickup in my finances and guess what/who is going to get cut first ...

Minimum wages will only create more unemployment.
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Your DSTV? Phone line? Internet? Those cellphone contracts?

Nahh, lets fire someone who we trust enough with our kids :whistle:
 
Cool, no problem ANC, I will just get rid of my maid and do the work myself. Now you have 1 less person with income in SA. Also what about all those restaurants etc who have full time waiters etc? Surely if they aren't getting paid this already then this would drive more expenses for the owner(s), and possibly lead to more job cuts or potential liquidation in which case even more people would lose income = less personal income tax, less business tax, just means less money going into governments pocket.....in which case they must go ahead and do it. cANCer ftw!
 
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