/ 16 March 1999

MINIMUM WAGE FOR DOMESTIC WORKERS?

THE Labour Ministry announced on Monday that it is planning to introduce legislation laying out a minimum wages for the hundreds of thousands of domestic and agricultural workers. Addressing journalists after a debate on his budget vote in Parliament, Labour Minister Membathisi Mdladlana said that government is concerned that 25% of South Africans currently earn less than R500 a month. The legislation of the Basic Conditions of Employment Act — promulgated in December. Mdladlana said, however, that it is very difficult at this stage to say what level of wage is considered appropriate.