2 March 2007
The new minimum wages for farm workers came into effect yesterday, Thursday,
1 March 2007. They are now entitled to a minimum wage of R1 041 per month. The
annual guaranteed wage hikes are regulated by the department's sectoral
determination for the Agricultural sector, which sets minimum wages and
employment conditions. This is in line with government's people's contract to
create work and fight poverty as it protects the most vulnerable of workers by
setting minimum wages and acceptable working conditions for the sector.
There is also a level of flexibility within the sectoral determination,
which allows for job creation. Examples include the ability to pay an hourly
rate recognising the different economic challenges facing farmers in different
parts of the country as well as the room given to farmers to apply for
variations.
When the sectoral determination was promulgated in December 2001, minimum
wages were set at R800 for those workers in areas of the country where average
household income is more than R24 000 per annum (area A/ urban areas) and at
R650 for those where average household income is less than R24 000 per annum
(area B/ peri urban and rural).
Enquiries:
Zolisa Sigabi
Cell: 082 906 3878
Issued by: Department of Labour
2 March 2007
