COMMENTS INVITED: NATIONAL MINIMUM WAGE RATE / HOUR PROPOSALS

The National Minimum Wage Commission, established by the National Minimum Wage Act, annually reviews how the national minimum wage rates affect seven economic areas, of which employment (or unemployment) is arguably the most important.

Following the annual investigation, the NMW Commission prepares a report that includes a recommendation to either increase, leave unchanged, or reduce, the minimum wage rates for the following year, and submits it to Government for a final decision.

The final adjusted national minimum wage rates are usually issued in late January or early February and at the request of the PAGSA at the inception of this process, are made effective from 1st March for the tax year that follows.

The Commission has requested our written feedback on the effectiveness and impact of the national minimum wage, considering the following medium-term target:
“All wage-earning workers must ,earn enough to maintain a decent standard of livfng, defined as sufficient to support themselves and their families at a level that is both socially acceptable and economically viable. The target should ensure that the value of the national minimum wage does not decline relative to the median wage.”

If you want to add your opinion to this annual process, please email your comments to Admin@Pagsa.org.za by no later than 11 September 2025.

More information can be found in Government Gazette Number 53187 dated 19 August 2025.