National Minimum Wage Increase – Effective 1 March 2026
National Minimum Wage Increase – Effective 1 March 2026
The Department of Employment and Labour has officially gazetted the new National Minimum Wage, which will come into effect on 1 March 2026.
In terms of the National Minimum Wage Act, No. 9 of 2018, the Minister of Employment and Labour has amended the national minimum wages as follows:
- The national minimum wage is now set at R30.23 per ordinary hour worked.
- Domestic workers and farm workers are also entitled to R30.23 per hour.
- Employees working on the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) are entitled to R16.62 per hour.
- Workers who have concluded learnership agreements, as contemplated in section 17 of the Skills Development Act, 1998 (Act No. 97 of 1998), are entitled to the allowances contained in Schedule 2 of the Government Gazette.
Sectoral Determinations
The Gazette also confirms updated minimum wages for specific sectors, including:
- Contract Cleaning Sector
- Wholesale and Retail Sector
