CAPE TOWN, Feb. 5 (Xinhua) — The national minimum wage in South Africa will increase by about 4.4 percent to 28.79 rand (about 1.55 U.S. dollars) per hour, effective March 1, the Department of Employment and Labor announced Wednesday.
Minister of the Department of Employment and Labor Nomakhosazana Meth has announced an upward adjustment of the National Minimum Wage (NMW) rates for 2025 from 27.58 rand to 28.79 rand for each ordinary hour worked, the department said in a statement.
It also touched upon some exceptions to NMW applications, such as workers employed on expanded public works programs who are entitled to a minimum wage increase of 15.83 rand from 15.16 rand per hour.
According to the statement, the NMW Act does not apply to volunteers or specific government agencies, including the South African National Defense Force, the National Intelligence Agency, and the South African Secret Service.
“The amount does not include payment of allowances, such as transport, tools, food or accommodation, payments in kind (board or lodging), tips, bonuses and gifts among others,” the labor department added.
