Domestic Worker Minimum Wages – December 2018

From the 3rd of December 2018, the minimum wages for a domestic worker will be increased, this increase is only valid until the new National Minimum Wage takes effect from the 1st of January 2019.

Who is covered by the Sectoral Determination for Domestic Workers?

• Housekeepers
• Gardeners
• Nannies
• Domestic Drivers

A key consideration of the above mentioned National Minimum Wage Act will, in its’s current form implement a national minimum wage for all domestic workers of R 15.00 per hour, regardless of the area in which they work noting that where the current minimum wage is higher than the one contained in the National Minimum Wage Act (Domestic Workers in Area A who work less than 27 hours a week), the higher rate will apply.

Area A includes the following municipalities: Bergrivier, Breederivier, Buffalo City, Cape Agulhas, Cederberg, City of Cape Town, City of Johannesburg, City of Tshwane, Drakenstein, Ekurhuleni, Emalahleni,Emfuleni, Ethekwini Unicity, Gamagara, George, Hibiscus Coast, Karoo Hoogland, Kgatelopele, Khara Hais, Knysna, Kungwini, Kouga, Langeberg, Lesedi, Makana, Mangaung, Matzikama, Metsimaholo, Middelburg, Midvaal, Mngeni, Mogale, Mosselbaai, Msunduzi, Mtubatuba, Nama Khoi, Nelson Mandela, Nokeng tsa Taemane, Oudtshoorn, Overstrand, Plettenbergbaai, Potchefstroom, Randfontein, Richtersveld, Saldanha Bay, Sol Plaatjie, Stellenbosch, Swartland, Swellendam, Theewaterskloof, Umdoni, uMhlathuze and Witzenberg

The rest of the municipalities fall under Area B.

What should I pay my Domestic Worker?

Domestic workers who work more than 27 ordinary hours per week:

Domestic workers who work 27 ordinary hours per week or less:

Further Reading: Government Notice No. 1332 in Government Gazette No. 42077 of 3 December 2018