The Fight for a Higher National Minimum Wage: A More Aggressive Target
Key Highlights :
In South Africa, the struggle for a fair and livable minimum wage has been a long and hard-fought battle. For many domestic workers and other low-wage earners, the current national minimum wage of R25.42 per hour is simply not enough to cover the costs of living. As a result, these workers are often forced to take on additional jobs or to rely on government subsidies or charity to make ends meet.
To address this issue, the National Minimum Wage Commission has recently gazetted a new medium-term target for the national minimum wage. This target is linked to the consumer price index (CPI) and other wages, as well as living standards, in order to ensure that those earning the minimum wage do not fall behind increases in pay across the economy. This target also explicitly states that the value of the minimum wage will increase above inflation.
In February 2021, the Labour Minister Thulas Nxesi decreed a 9.6% increase in the minimum wage, to R25.42 per hour, which is well above the annual inflation rate of 6.9%. This increase has seen full-time domestic workers earn at least R4 000 per month for the first time. The new medium-term target for the national minimum wage is an important step forward in the fight for a fair and livable wage for South Africa's lowest-paid workers.
However, the fight for a higher national minimum wage is far from over. Activists and trade unions will continue to call for higher wages and better working conditions for those earning the minimum wage. The new target, while an important step in the right direction, is not enough to ensure that all workers earn a living wage.
The South African government must continue to push for a more aggressive target for the national minimum wage. This should include linking the minimum wage to the median wage, as well as increasing it above the level of inflation. These measures will ensure that workers earning the minimum wage are able to maintain a decent standard of living and are not left behind as wages across the economy increase.
It is also essential that the government takes steps to ensure that employers comply with the minimum wage regulations. This includes increasing the number of labour inspectors and strengthening enforcement mechanisms.
The fight for a higher national minimum wage is an ongoing battle, and one that must be won. It is essential that the South African government takes the necessary steps to ensure that all workers earn a living wage and are not left behind. Only then will the most vulnerable members of society be able to enjoy a life of dignity and security.
