Domestic worker

Domestic Worker / stockphoto

The 2018 minimum wages for nannies and domestic workers

We take a look at the latest 2018 minimum wages for domestic workers and nannies. What are they and are they far too low?

Domestic worker

Domestic Worker / stockphoto

Domestic workers and nannies in South Africa are often some of the most exploited, hardworking yet underpaid workers in the country. While the minimum wage may be “fine” legally,  it doesn’t take a maths wiz to work out that it would be close to atrocious to pay someone a wage that low.

When one factors in living and travel costs, morally, no one should be paying their domestic just their specific minimum wage. But, looking at these official numbers can provide a good base to help employers work out a fair amount to add on top of the minimum required by law.

Let’s look at how Parent24 and Bernard Reisner from Cape Labour and Industrial Consultants broke down the official figures which run 1 January 2017 to 30 November 2018. Remember, there are also a lot of variables for specific minimum wages. Does your nanny/ domestic work part-time or full-time? Do you as an employer live in a major metro etc?

The Minimum wages for domestic workers who work more than 27 and up to 45 ordinary hours per week:

Area A – Major metropolitan areas

  • Hourly rate :   R13.05
  • Weekly rate:   R587.40
  • Monthly rate:  R2 545.22

Those not in Area A –

  • Hourly rate :   R11.89
  • Weekly rate:   R534.91
  • Monthly rate:  R2 317.75

Weekly and monthly rates are indicative for employees working a maximum of 45 ordinary hours per week.

Minimum wages for domestic workers working 27 hours per week or less:

Area A – Major Metropolitan areas

  • Hourly rate: R15.28
  • Weekly rate: R412.60
  • Monthly rate: R1 787.80

Those not in Area A

  • Hourly rate: R14.03
  • Weekly rate: R378.83
  • Monthly rate: R1 641.48

Weekly and monthly rates are indicative for employees working a maximum of 27 ordinary hours per week.

Again, looking at those monthly rates it would be simply ludicrous to pay someone who looks after your home and kids that amount. Please keep it fair at all times.

Not sure whether you live in a major metropolitan area? Check out the full list of areas that includes, below.

 B: Bergrivier Local Municipality, Breederivier Local Municipality, Buffalo City Local Municipality

C: Cape Agulhas Local Municipality, Cederberg Local Municipality, City of Cape Town, City of Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality, City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality

D: Drakenstein Local Municipality

E: Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality, Emalahleni Local Municipality, Emfuleni Local Municipality, Ethekwini Metropolitan Unicity

G: Gamagara Local Municipality, George Local Municipality

H: Hibiscus Coast Local Municipality

K: Karoo Hoogland Local Municipality, Kgatelopele Local Municipality, Khara Hais Local Municipality, Knysna Local Municipality, Kungwini Local Municipality, Kouga Local Municipality

L: Langeberg Local Municipality, Lesedi Local Municipality

M: Makana Local Municipality, Mangaung Local Municipality, Matzikama Local Municipality, Metsimaholo Local Municipality, Middelburg Local Municipality, Midvaal Local Municipality, Mngeni Local Municipality, Mogale Local Municipality, Mosselbaai Local Municipality, Msunduzi Local Municipality, Mtubatu Local Municipality

N: Nama Khoi Local Municipality, Nelson Mandela, Nokeng tsa Taemane Local Municipality

O: Oudtshoorn Local Municipality, Overstrand Local Municipality

P: Plettenbergbaai Local Municipality, Potchefstroom Local Municipality

R: Randfontein Local Municipality, Richtersveld Local Municipality

S: Saldanha Bay Local Municipality, Sol Plaatjie Local Municipality, Stellenbosch Local Municipality, Swartland Local Municipality, Swellendam Local Municipality

T: Theewaterskloof Local Municipality

U: Umdoni Local Municipality, uMhlathuze Local Municipality

W: Witzenberg Local Municipality