Tags: labour minister, labour minister mildred oliphant, department of labour, basic conditions of employment act, bcea, minimum wage for domestic workers, domestic workers, mildred oliphant, minimum wage of domestic workers has increased, how the minimum wage increase for domestic workers will affect you

The minimum wage for domestic workers has increased. Read on to find out how these new changes by the Department of Labour will affect you so you can comply.

The Minister of Labour, Mildred Oliphant, has made changes to the minimum wage for domestic workers.

The wage adjustment which officially came into effect yesterday (1 December 2013) is part of an annual binding determination made by the minister in terms of the Basic Conditions of Employment Act (BCEA).

Here's how the minimum wage increase for domestic workers will affect you

Here are the changes as outlined in the minister's statement:

As from December 1, the minimum wage of those working more than 27 hours a week in metropolitan areas will be R9.63 an hour, while that of their rural and small-town counterparts will be R8.30.

According to the minister's statement, 'the minimum wages for domestic workers working for more than 27 hours per week will be in Area A: R9.63 hourly, R433.35 weekly [for a 45-hour week] and R1 877.70 monthly [for a 45-hour week].

'In Area B: R8.30 hourly, R373.50 weekly [for a 45-hour week] and R1 618.37 monthly [for a 45-hour week],' said the department.

According to the City Press, Area A is defined as all urban areas with municipalities, such as Buffalo City, Emalahleni, City of Tshwane, (Witbank), Johannesburg, and others. Area B includes those municipalities not included in Area A.

That's not all.

The minimum wages for domestic workers working 27 hours or less a week will be in Area A: R11.27 hourly, R304.29 weekly (for a 27-hour week) and R1 318.48 monthly (for a 27-hour week), while in Area B, it will rise to R9.80 hourly, R264.60 weekly (for a 27-hour week) and R1 146.51 monthly (for a 27-hour week).

City Press reports that the Department of Labour cautioned that in terms of the law, a domestic worker could not be made to work more than 45 hours a week; more than nine hours a day for a five-day work week; or more than eight hours a day for a six-day work week.

'Overtime must be paid at one-and-a-half times the employee's normal wage, or an employee may agree to receive paid time off,' said the department.

Remember, domestic workers are paid according to the number of hours worked.

Make sure you keep a record showing the distinction between 'ordinary hours', 'overtime hours' and hours worked on public holidays, Sundays as well as night work and standby allowances, says the Labour Law for Managers Loose Leaf Service.

Be warned: Domestic workers are the third highest referring group to the CCMA. So ensure you follow fair labour practice and pay the minimum wage as set out by the Department of Labour.

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Author: FSP Business