R20/hour not a living wage but a start: Ramaphosa

President Cyril Ramaphosa says the R20 minimum wage is not living wage, but it’s a start.

This week, workers from various unions marched across the country against the R20 minimum wage and amendments to the labour law.

Ramaphosa delivered the keynote address at Friday’s main Freedom Day celebration, held at the packed Petrus Molemela Stadium in Bloemfontein.

“R20 an hour is not a living wage. It was never seen as a living wage, but what the national minimum wage does provide is a firm an unassailable foundation which is agreed by all social partners, from which we’re going to advance the struggle for a living wage.”

Speaking to the media on the sidelines of the Freedom Day celebrations, following his speech, Ramaphosa says his government is not in the business of removing MECs and the Premier in the North West. His comments follow days of protests in that province.

Ramaphosa says they have sent a team to deal with all problems including putting the health department under administration.

Click below to watch full speech: