7 March 2007
Workers in the civil engineering sector can expect an increase in wages,
effective from 1 March this year, in line with the minimum wages as set out in
the government's sectoral determination.
General workers that are classified as grade one employees in urban areas
will earn R11,09 per hour, while in the rural areas they will be paid R10,27.
Artisans who are on grade nine will be paid R26,21 per hour.
In the past workers were not remunerated according to their skills and the
job that they perform. The sectoral determination only set a single minimum
wage for the sector. This has come to an end. The new determination has
different job categories ranging from grade one to grade nine.
The past demarcation practices that were eminent in the previous wage
regulatory regime will also be eliminated in this determination.
As from 2009, employees in the sector will be paid one single minimum wage,
irrespective of their location. There will no longer be a distinction between
those employers and employees previously in a so called "rural areas."
The present wage dispensation is simple and is aimed at arriving at a single
minimum wage.
The determination also prescribes bonuses to employees for a period of three
years which will improve from 15 days in 2007 to 16 days in 2008 and 2009.
Employees will also be compensated in terms of allowances and be protected
when they perform cross border assignments.
Enquiries:
Zolisa Sigabi
Cell: 082 906 3878
Issued by: Department of Labour
7 March 2007
