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South African money
The national minimum wage is set to increase from R28.79c to R30.23c per hour.
Employment and Labour Minister, Nomakhosazana Meth announced the increase on Tuesday.
The R1.44c increase, which will take effect on March 1, 2026 will benefit all workers, including vulnerable farm workers and domestic workers.
Labour Department raised concerns over non-compliance with the national minimum wage, citing farm owners and households as the main culprits.
The Department’s Deputy Director-General ,Thembinkosi Mkalipi says the department took this decision after looking at the inflation rate.
“This is a decision taken by labour, business and community at a commission after looking at the inflation rate and also following the law. The law requires that the commission should make sure that the minimum wage is not eroded by inflation and if you look at the inflation as at the end of November last year, it was about 3.6% and this is more than that to compensate for the high inflation rate.”
ANNOUNCEMENT | The Department of Employment and Labour has announced an increase in the National Minimum Wage from R28,79 to R30,23 per hour, effective 1 March 2026.
🔗 More information:⁰https://t.co/ghpkcm5kJc#NationalMinimumWage #LabourZA #GovZAUpdates @deptoflabour pic.twitter.com/lJqa5ATK2b
— South African Government (@GovernmentZA) February 4, 2026
