Question NW348 to the Minister of Employment and Labour

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19 August 2019 - NW348

Profile picture: Hlengwa, Mr M

Hlengwa, Mr M to ask the Minister of Employment and Labour

Whether he will (a) extend, (b) enforce and (c) ensure that the minimum wage is implemented in the Expanded Public Works Programme; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

Reply:

The workers under the Expanded Public Workers Programme are already included within the scope of the National Minimum Wage Act albeit at a lower tier/percentage of the NMW as is the case for domestic and farm workers. The minimum wage for these workers has been set at R11 per hour or 55% of the national minimum wage as contemplated in item 2 (c ) of Schedule 1 of the Act, taking into account the ability of the State to fund these work opportunities, retain the number of participants and provide some level of income security as an integral part of the Governments plans to address poverty alleviation. Section 4 (3) of the Act provides that the minimum wage in respect of these workers will be increased proportionally to any adjustment of the national minimum wage

Just as any other piece of labour legislation it is the employer’s responsibility to implement and comply with it. The Department is enforcing the NMW in all its facets.

 

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