SACTWU CALLS FOR RAPID IMPLEMENTATION OF NATIONAL MINIMUM WAGE INCREASE FOR FARM
Nazmia Leite
Date: 9 January 2021
Media release: immediate
SACTWU CALLS FOR RAPID IMPLEMENTATION OF NATIONAL MINIMUM WAGE INCREASE FOR FARM WORKERS
The COSATU-affiliated Southern African Clothing & Textile Workers’ Union (SACTWU) has called for the rapid implementation of increases in the National Minimum Wage for farm- and other workers in South Africa.
This call is contained in a formal SACTWU written submission to the National Minimum Wage Commission, made a week ago.
In November last year, the Commission had proposed that the National Minimum Wage floor be adjusted upwards by the September 2020 inflation rate (3%) plus 1.5%, during 2021. This means a proposed 4.5% increase during 2021.
Amongst other, the Commission had also proposed that an adjustment be made to lift the National Minimum Wage for farm workers this year, to equal that applicable to other workers, and the same be phased in for domestic workers next year.
In our view, these two developments for farm- and domestic workers constitute a major advance towards the formalisation of a single higher National Minimum Wage to become applicable for all South African workers.
Currently, the national minimum wage for farm- and domestic workers is lower than that applicable to other workers.
The closure date for review submissions to be made to the Commission has ended yesterday, 8 January 2021.
Noting that the real value of the National Minimum Wage has actually been eroded by inflation since it was first introduced at a rate of R20 per hour on 1 January 2019 and even after it was slightly adjusted to R20.76 in March 2020, SACTWU has supported the Commission's proposals for 4.5% increase in 2021.
Now that the review comment period has formally closed, SACTWU calls on the Commission to meet as soon as possible in order to finalise and formalise the new 4.5% increase in the National Minimum Wage, with haste.
Issued by
André Kriel
SACTWU
GENERAL SECRETARY
If further comment is required, kindly contact SACTWU's Head of Farming, Mr Andreas Nxumalo, on cell number 071 858 2280