South African President Cyril
Ramaphosa has signed the national wage bill into law, bringing the national
minimum wage to 3,500 Rands or N91,225 per month.
As per hourly pay, the Act fixed
the country’s minimum wage at $1.45 (N527) for every 60 minutes of human
labour.
The president, who signed the
bill into law on Monday, said the law was aimed at reducing inequality in the
country, and advance living wage with the second biggest economy on the
continent.
“The National Minimum Wage Act
sets South Africa’s first national minimum wage at R20 an hour – equivalent to
R3 500 per month, depending on the number of hours worked,” a statement from
the office of the president read.
“The President’s signing of the
new law comes four years, to the month, after the National Economic Development
and Labour Council (NEDLAC) first began deliberations on the protection of
low-paid workers, fair and effective competition in the labour market, and the
challenges of labour instability, caused by violent strikes and the duration of
strikes and wage inequality.
“While national minimum wage will
not end income inequality, it provides a firm and unassailable foundation,
which is agreed to by all social partners, from which to advance the struggle
for a living wage”.
The law, which will improve the
pay of over six million workers in the country, is expected to take effect from
on a date to be announced by the president.
This is coming at a time when the
Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) are demanding a raise in Nigeria’s minimum wage
from N18,000 to N30,000 per month.
The federal government has
expressed its readiness to meet NLC’s demands, which pales in comparison to
what South Africans will now earn, but state governors are still at variance
with the federal government.
South Africa’s minimum wage is
due for review in 18 months.
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