Employment and Labour Minister Nomakhosazana Meth has announced an increase in the statutory National Minimum Wage (NMW) rate to R30,23 per hour, effective from 1st March 2026, Cape {town} Etc reports.
This marks an upward rate adjustment from the current R28,79 and is geared towards benefiting various vulnerable sectors, including farm workers and domestic workers.
Speaking at the announcement, Meth stated, ‘The 1st of March 2026 is the date on which this amendment shall become binding,’
The new rate of R1,44, reflecting an increase of approximately 5% (inflation plus 1.5%), is welcomed by many as a progressive step towards enhancing the living standards of South Africa’s most vulnerable workers.
The NMW, which functions as a legal guideline for employers, was initially introduced in 2019 to combat exploitative wage practices. It currently mandates that employers must pay workers at least this minimum amount for each hour worked, with violations facing fines from the inspectorate.
The NMW is strictly enforced by the Department of Employment and Labour alongside the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation, and Arbitration (CCMA).
Notably, the NMW increase will not apply to workers on the expanded public works programme (EPWP), where earnings will rise from R15,16 to R16,62 per hour.
Additionally, workers involved in learnership agreements will continue to be entitled to specific allowances detailed on the Department of Labour’s website.
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In response to the announcement, the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) expressed satisfaction with the increase. ‘Whilst COSATU had tabled a slightly higher proposal, we are pleased that our demand for a positive above-inflation increase secured the support of the Commission and the Minister for Employment and Labour,’ the unions stated.
COSATU highlighted the evolution of the NMW from R20 per hour in 2019, as well as the strides made to equalise wages for domestic and farm workers, who used to earn as little as R6 an hour.
However, the increase comes during a challenging time for South African agriculture. AgriSA has acknowledged the need for fair and decent wages for farm workers while also voicing concerns about the current economic landscape.
‘The timing of the adjustment will put additional pressure on a sector already under strain,’ they said, noting the ongoing challenges posed by the Foot-and-Mouth Disease outbreak and other biosecurity concerns impacting the livestock industry.
Despite parts of the agricultural sector showing signs of recovery, particularly in 2025, AgriSA warns that this recovery remains fragile. Labour-intensive subsectors and emerging farmers are particularly susceptible to economic pressures, raising questions about sustainability amid fluctuating market conditions.
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Also read:
DA opposes increases to South Africa’s National Minimum Wage
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