Ithabeleng Qhasho
THE Ministry of Labour and Employment has announced a breakthrough in the long-delayed adjustment of minimum wages, raising fresh hopes for both workers and employers.
Addressing a press conference this week, Labour and Employment Minister, Tšeliso Mokhosi, said the delays stemmed largely from a series of court cases over the determination of the most representative workers’ union. The legal disputes stalled the establishment of the Wages and Conditions of Employment Advisory Board, a key body mandated to guide wage reviews.
Mr Mokhosi confirmed that, in line with Section 20 of the Labour Act 2024, the Advisory Board had been formally constituted and had already held its first meeting.
He explained that before any wage order was finalised, the law requires a 30-day public notice period to ensure transparency and allow stakeholders to submit their views.
The minister further revealed that representatives of workers and employers had reached an amicable agreement on the proposed wage adjustments, enabling the Advisory Board to proceed without delay.
Importantly, the agreed increases will be implemented retrospectively from 1 April 2026, ensuring workers did not lose out due to earlier delays while providing clarity for employers on their obligations.
Once all statutory procedures are completed, Mr Mokhosi said he would act on the board’s recommendations in accordance with Section 21 of the Act.
Textile general workers with less than 12 months of continuous service currently earn a minimum of M2724 per month, while textile machine operators with the same tenure receive M2929.
Those with over 12 months of experience earn M3041 as trained machine operators and M3017 as general textile workers.
In the construction sector, workers with less than 12 months of service, including operators, certified tradespeople, and labourers, earn between M3226 and M5078 per month. For those with over 12 months of experience, salaries increase to M3552 for unskilled and M5664 for skilled workers.
A security guard with less than 12 months of continuous service with the same employer is entitled to a minimum monthly wage of M2641. Those with more than 12 months of service are entitled to a minimum of M3104 per month.
Meanwhile, National Clothing Textile and Allied Workers Union (NACTWU) secretary, Sam Mokhele, said although his organisation was not directly represented on the Advisory Board, workers’ unions were adequately represented.
He said they expected the official Government Gazette to reflect the agreed percentage increases.
“It was proposed during engagements between employers and workers’ representatives that the private sector receive a 3 percent increase, textile or factory workers 4 percent, and all other sectors—except security and textile—receive a 4.5 percent adjustment,” Mr Mokhele said.
However, some workers remain sceptical. A security guard who spoke on condition of anonymity said he was not optimistic, alleging that some employers continued to underpay workers despite existing minimum wage laws and weak enforcement.
Responding to the concerns, Mr Mokhosi acknowledged enforcement challenges, citing limited resources within the ministry. He said there are only about 27 labour inspectors responsible for monitoring approximately 33 000 registered businesses nationwide.
Despite these constraints, he reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to strengthening enforcement and ensuring compliance, while balancing the interests of both workers and employers.
