After months of deliberations and consultations, the National Minimum Wage Bill is set to come into effect in May 2018.
The Bill is currently before Parliament for consideration before it comes into effect.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has said that the Wage Bill is a realisation of the demands of the Freedom Charter and, aims to reduce wage inequality while maintaining economic growth.
He says he will set up a presidential economic advisory council which will draw on the expertise and capability in labour, business, civil society and academia, in order to meet the challenges of these issues.
Labour analysts and trade unions say they are concerned about government’s intention to amend the Labour Relations Act, Basic Conditions of Employment Act and the implementation of the National Minimum Wage Bill.
Senior Researcher at the Center for Social Change at the University of Johannesburg Carin Ranciman says to get R3 500 you will have to work 40 hours per week, which isn’t what has been out in the media.
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Chief Director of Labour Relations at the Department of Labour, Thembinkosi Mkhaliphi, says there will be no monthly minimum wage, only a minimum hourly rate.
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Industrial Relations Product manager at LabourNet, Samantha Edmonds, says the minimum wage will hinder collective bargaining.
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