15 February 2006
Farm workers can look forward to an increase in their minimum wage as from 1
March 2006. The new rates will be announced in the Government Gazette on
Friday, 17 February 2006.
The sectoral determination fixed wage increases for a three-year period in
order to arrive at a single wage structure for the sector.
The minimum wage prescribed for Area A (urban areas) is R994 per month and
Area B (rural areas) R885 per month. Increases for the second year are R1 041
per month and R989 per month for Area A and B respectively.
In the third year of application all farm workers will earn the same minimum
wage rate of R1 090 per month
By amending the sectoral determination the department recognises the
concerns raised about the two-tier wage structure that emerged during the
implementation of the sectoral determination.
These concerns were not only evident in the number of applications for
variation on demarcation that were received but also factors that were pointed
out both by employers and employees.
The problems were further echoed in a study commissioned by the Department
of Labour that was conducted in 2003 by Professors Kassier and others where
they argued that no exemption should be granted but that a single minimum wage
would be better suited for the sector.
Therefore, the present two-tier wage structure will be applicable for the
first two years of the new determination, but with diminishing differentials,
in order to allow Area B wages to catch up with Area A and by the third year
both areas will be at the same level.
Another significant change to the determination is the scrapping of the 27
hour provision. The determination says that a farm worker who works more than
27 ordinary hours of work per week should be paid at least the monthly wage and
a farm worker who works 27 or less ordinary hours of work per week should be
paid at least the hourly rate for hours worked.
All workers will now be paid in terms of the number of hours worked per
week.
âThe shift towards single minimum wage for the sector as well as the scrapping
of the 27 hour provision are a result of extensive engagement by stakeholders
in the sector it self. However, I want to caution employers that unilateral
changes to conditions of employment constitute an unfair labour practice,â said
Labour Minister Membathisi Mdladlana.
He further concluded that although the sectoral determination was
promulgated to protect farm workers, in the implementation process, some farm
workers experience little change in their working lives.
âThere is still a substantial room for improvement in the compliance with
the spirit as well as the letter of the sectoral determination. I therefore
want to encourage farm workers and farmers to use the services of my inspectors
to assist you with the implementation of the amendmentsâ, says Minster
Mdladlana.
Inspectors can be contacted at the nearest labour centre. The new amendments
are available from the government printers and the website, http://www.labour.gov.za
Enquiries: Mokgadi Pela
Cell: 082 808 2168
Issued by: Department of Labour
15 February 2006
