The new domestic worker minimum wage increase has taken effect as of the beginning of this year and it applies to all domestic employees in the Cape Town municipalities.
Any domestic employee who works more than 27 hours should be paid not less than R13.05 an hour, R587.40 a week and
R2 545.22 a month in major metropolitan areas.
In other areas, the hourly rate is R11.89, R534.91 a week and the monthly rate is R2 317.75.
The minimum wages for domestic workers in the Cape Town municipalities who work 27 ordinary hours a week or less, should not be less than R15.28 an hour, R412.60 a week and R1 787.80 a month, in terms of Area A.
“Since the promulgation of this act 15 years ago, the annual minimum wage increase continues to be marginal, which means that these workers will continue to eke out a living in these dire economic times,” said Bernard Reisner of Cape Labour and Industrial Consultants in Gardens, Cape Town.
“These vulnerable employees do not have much to rejoice about and in 2018 will continue to struggle to fight for their rights.”
The wages are as set down in the Sectoral Determination 7: Domestic Worker Sector.
You can email bernard@capelabour.co.za or call 021 423 3959 for a free copy of the minimum wage schedule. It includes sample documents and is a must for every household.
The labour department often conducts surprise visits to check if employers are paying their domestic staff according to the legislation.
