South Africa’s National Minimum Wage (NMW) has been adjusted with effect from 1 March 2026, reinforcing the country’s commitment to fair pay across sectors. The national minimum wage is now set at R30,23 per ordinary hour worked, applying equally to farm workers and domestic workers. However, certain categories remain treated differently under the Act: workers on the Expanded Public Works Programme earn R16,62 per hour, while employees engaged in registered learnerships are paid according to structured allowances rather than the standard hourly wage.
Schedule 2 of the amendment focuses on learnership allowances, recognising skills development as a pathway into employment. Allowances are determined by the learner’s NQF level and credits already earned, with weekly minimum payments starting at R455 for entry-level learners and increasing progressively to over R2 600 per week for higher NQF levels with more completed credits. This approach balances income support with training, ensuring learners are compensated fairly while acquiring qualifications (Government Gazette Staatskoerant, 2026).
In addition to the national baseline, sectoral determinations set higher, tailored minimum wages for specific industries. In the Contract Cleaning Sector (Sectoral Determination 1), minimum hourly rates differ by geographic area, with metropolitan areas reaching R33,27 per hour, while other regions have slightly lower prescribed rates. Employers and clients may both be held liable if contracts undermine compliance with labour laws. Meanwhile, Sectoral Determination 9 governs the Wholesale and Retail Sector, providing detailed wage scales based on job category, working hours, and location (Area A and B). From general assistants to managers, these sector-specific rates ensure that workers in retail and wholesale environments earn wages aligned with responsibility and skill level, often above the national minimum wage.
Full notice available via the Government Gazette.
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