National Minimum Wage (NMW) Commission invites further submissions as it eyes a CPI-linked adjustment in NMW in 2023
The National Minimum Wage (NMW) Commission is conducting an investigation into the NMW and is inviting further written representations in order to adjust the 2023 rate.
In its preliminary report the NMW Commission is eyeing an annual increase in the NMW in the range of consumer price index (CPI) +0.5 percent and CPI +1 percent for 2023.
The Commission is inviting written representation from all interested stakeholders in preparation for adjustments in the NMW in 2023. The NMW Commission is implementing the process in accordance with section 6(2) of the National Minimum Wage Act, No. 9 of 2018.
The written representation will form part of recommendations by the Commission to the Minister of Employment and Labour together with the Commission’s report – to use in the determination of the new adjustment.
The current national minimum announced by Employment and Labour Minister Thulas Nxesi in February 2022 was adjusted from R21,69 (year: 2021) to R23,19 for each ordinary hour worked. The increase came into effect from 01 March 2022.
The NMW representations should reach the directorate: Employment Standards, Department of Employment and Labour, Private Bag X117, Pretoria, 0001 or be sent to nmwreview@labour.gov.za by 13 January 2023.
- In another development, the National Minimum Wage Commission in terms of section 11(d) of the NMW Act is looking at setting medium-term targets for the NMW.
NMW Chairperson Professor Adriaan van der Walt said: “All wage-earning workers must earn enough to maintain a decent standard of living, defined as sufficient to support themselves and their families at a level that is both socially acceptable and economically viable. The target should ensure that the value of the national minimum wage does not decline relative to the median wage.”
Because the matter is of national importance the NMW Commission is inviting representation from the public concerning the medium-term target to be set by the Commission.
Such representations should reach the Directorate: Employment Standards, Department of Employment and Labour, Private Bag X117, Pretoria, 0001 or be sent to nmwreview@labour.gov.za by 31 January 2023.
- Last but not least - the NMW Commission has announced that in terms of Section 52(3) of the Basic Conditions of Employment Act (BCEA), No 75 of 1997, it has started an investigation into the protection of Community Health Workers (CHWs) in South Africa.
According to Professor van der Walt the terms of reference of this investigation shall be: “to investigate the wages and conditions of employment of the Community Health Workers in the health sector, with a view to establish a sectoral determination prescribing minimum wages and conditions of employment”.
The Community Health Worker Programme (CHWP) means:
(a) A programme to provide public or community services through a labour-intensive programme initiated by the government and funded by public, private or donor resources;
(b) All projects and programmes accessing public funds, including those implemented by Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and Community Based Organisations (CBOs) Faith Based Organisations (FBOs) and private companies; and
(c) Any other programme deemed to be part of the CHWP as determined by the National department of Health or a provincial Department of Health.
Interested persons are given an opportunity of making written representations to the NMW Commission and these should reach the Directorate: Employment Standards, Department of Employment and Labour, Private Bag X117, Pretoria, 0001 or be sent to SDinvestigations@labour.gov.za 31 January 2023.
For media enquiries contact:
Teboho Thejane
Departmental Spokesperson
Cell: 082 697 0694
E-mail: teboho.thejane@labour.gov.za
