From 1 May 2026, the earnings threshold under the Basic Conditions of Employment Act (BCEA) increases to R269,600.90 per year (or R22,466.74 per month).
For employers, this is more than just an updated figure — it directly determines which employees automatically qualify [more…]
R30,23 per hour
The minimum wage of R28,79 per hour will increase to R30,23 per hour (an increase of 5%). The new minimum wage sets a new baseline across all [more…]
Overtime work, defined as hours worked beyond the ordinary workweek, is a common practice across industries. While necessary to meet deadlines, manage increased workloads, or respond to unforeseen operational demands, overtime raises concerns regarding fair compensation, employee well-being, and work-life balance. In South Africa, the regulation of overtime is primarily governed by the [more…]
Since 2019, South Africa has had a National Minimum Wage, which sets the floor for all wages and salaries in the country. But for many workers, actual wages paid depend on the outcome of negotiations with employers.
The National Minimum Wage is set every year by the Minister of Labour [more…]
In Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa v Hoyo [2025] 2 BLLR 160 (LAC) the Labour Appeal Court (LAC) overturned the Labour Court’s (LC) finding that there had been unfair discrimination based on race. In this case, the employee alleged unfair discrimination because of unequal pay on the ground of race in that his [more…]
South African employers who are considering changing work hours to avoid the National Minimum Wage hike could find themselves in hot water, as the Department of Labour has vowed to clamp down on non-compliance in 2025.
The department is determined to increase its number of labour inspectors from 2,000 to 20,000, following a rise in labour [more…]
The minimum wage of R27,58 per hour will increase to R28,79 per hour (an increase of approximately 4,4%). The new minimum wage sets a new baseline across [more…]
It must be understood that Labour Law is silent on the question of bonuses. This means that the payment or non-payment of bonuses is a matter entirely for the employer to decide, and to negotiate with employees. If an employer who presently does not pay bonuses of any sort wishes to continue on that route [more…]
Employers and businesses are to take note of the extended deadline set for 30 June 2024 to submit the Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act (COIDA) Return of Earnings (ROE). The extension for the period covering 1 March 2023 to 29 February 2024 was announced in a Government Notice. In addition to [more…]
There seems to be a bit of confusion regarding payments for public holidays if the public holiday falls on a Sunday and the Monday is a public holiday as well.
The days mentioned in Schedule 1 shall be Public Holidays, and whenever any Public Holiday falls on a Sunday, the following [more…]
The bargaining council and the CCMA have proposed an offer of 8.75 percent for the first year and 8.25 percent for the second.
Bus commuters will have to find alternative transport until Wednesday when the South African Transport and Allied Workers Union (Satawu) will announce whether striking drivers have accepted an improved salary offer.
Satawu [more…]
African National Congress President Cyril Ramaphosa on Tuesday called for equal pay for men and women in South Africa.
Ramaphosa was speaking at a Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) May Day Rally held at a packed Isaac Wolfson Stadium in Port Elizabeth where he was warmly received by the crowds.
“We [more…]
Business Report writes that agricultural sector association Agri SA on Wednesday said that it could not say whether the recent increase in minimum wages for farm and forestry workers was fair or not.
This was after the Department of Labour on Tuesday released the minimum wage rates for [more…]
Incentivise employers instead of fining them with amounts twice the value of the underpayment or twice the employee’s monthly wage, whichever is greater plus interest – Cofesa
Government needs to get the economy growing, cancel the junk status credit rating and resolve state capturing before wage increases can be [more…]
The Citizen writes that, according to a report in Business Day on Friday, the National Union of Metalworkers of SA (Numsa) is facing a serious internal rebellion and its finances are alleged to be in disarray.
The union’s financial situation is apparently so bad it had to dip into [more…]