South Africa’s National Minimum Wage (NMW) will increase to R30.23 per hour from 1 March 2026, Employment and Labour Minister Nomakhosazana Meth announced on Tuesday. The adjustment, up from R28.79, represents a R1.44 rise for ordinary hours worked.
The annual review, mandated by the National Minimum Wage Act of 2019, will benefit the majority of the country’s workforce, including vulnerable farm and domestic workers. However, workers under the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) are excluded from the main increase. Their special dispensation wage will rise from R15.16 to R16.62 per hour.
Minister Meth confirmed the effective date, stating the amendment becomes binding on 1 March 2026. The department also noted that workers in learnership programmes, as defined by the Skills Development Act, are entitled to specific allowances detailed in Schedule 2, with rates to be published separately on the departmental website.
The NMW serves as a statutory floor, legally obliging employers to pay no less than the prescribed rate. The department reiterated that the minimum cannot be undercut by contract, collective agreement, or any other law. Unilaterally altering hours or conditions to implement the NMW constitutes an unfair labour practice.
The Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) and the Department’s inspectorate enforce compliance, with violations subject to fines. The Act applies to nearly all workers and employers, with specific exemptions for members of the South African National Defence Force, the National Intelligence Agency, and the South African Secret Service, as well as unpaid volunteers.
Detailed rates for sectors with Sectoral Determinations, such as Contract Cleaning and Wholesale and Retail, are also available on the department’s website (www.labour.gov.za). The NMW does not include allowances for transport, tools, food, accommodation, or payments in kind, tips, bonuses, or gifts.
This adjustment is part of a structured annual review process aimed at balancing worker protection with economic considerations. The increase underscores the government’s commitment to reducing income inequality by setting a baseline for fair remuneration across the formal labour market. Employers and employees are advised to consult the official channels for the complete, updated schedules ahead of the March implementation date.
