National minimum wage 2022

Despite the underperformance of the South African economy and that employers are faced with major challenges, the Minister of of Employment and Labour announced the amended national minimum wage on 07 February 2022 in the Government Gazette 45882. The amended minimum wage will come into effect on 01 March 2022.

The current national minimum wage of R21.69 per hour will increase to R23.19 per hour.

Take note of the minimum wage amendments in the following industries:

• Agricultural sector:
  The agricultural sector minimum wage is equal to the national minimum wage and amounts to R23.19 from 01 March 2022. Employers in the agricultural sector should take note that domestic workers on a farm are regarded as farm workers and must receive the correct wage.

• Domestic worker sector:
  The domestic worker sector minimum wage will from 01 March 2022 be equal to the national minimum wage for 2022 of R23.19.

  The domestic worker sector previously received an exemption to pay only 88,0% of the national minimum wage (it amounted to R19.09 in 2021).  However, this exemption has now expired and the minimum wage for domestic workers has been equalised to the national minimum wage for 2022.

• Contract cleaning sector:
  The contract cleaning sector minimum wage will increase from 01 March 2022based on the specific area in which the employer is doing business (see the amended Schedule 2 on page 5 of the Government Gazette):

• • Area A: R25.52 per hour – City of Cape Town, Greater East Rand Metro, City of Johannesburg, City of Tshwane and City of Nelson Mandela, Local Councils of Emfuleni, Merafong, Mogale City, Metsimaholo, Randfontein, Stellenbosch and Westonaria.

  • Area B: Collective Agreement as contained in the Bargaining Council for the Contract Cleaning Service Industry – All areas in KwaZulu-Natal.

  • Area C: R23.27 per hour – All areas not listed in Areas A and B.

• Wholesale and retail sector:
  The wholesale and retail sector minimum wage will increase from 01 March 2022 based on the specific area in which the employer does business as well as the respective job descriptions of employees (see the amended Table 1 and 2 on page 6-7 of the Government Gazette).