FEDUSA Outraged by National Minimum Wage Increase

18 February 2020

The Federation of Unions of South Africa (FEDUSA) is totally outraged by the adjustments brought forth by the Minister of Employment and Labour, following the Gazetted Notice published today, dated 17 February 2020. This is totally unjustifiable and in serious conflict with the vision of ejecting millions of South Africans out of the poverty trap when the legislation was crafted during lengthy deliberations in the National Economic Development and Labour Council (NEDLAC).

The Gazetted notice of 17 February 2020 increases the new minimum wage from R20 an hour to R20,76 an hour, effective from 01 March 2020. FEDUSA as part of organised labour within NEDLAC had rejected an initial call of a 5% increase at the end of January 2020, but this latest move is simply undignified. FEDUSA will call for an urgent enquiry on the rationale by the National Minimum Wage Commission, that has prompted Minister Thulas Nxesi to have the notice Gazetted.

The NMW has not been increased in the last 3 years, and this latest move will not be accepted by FEDUSA. This pronouncement is way below the current inflation rate, and we will not allow the most vulnerable sectors of society to continuously have their disposable income further eroded whilst food, fuel and electricity prices keep increasing at an alarming rate. FEDUSA will urgently place this item on the NEDLAC agenda when it engages the Presidential Working Committee in March 2020, as this latest move degrades all progress of extending the Decent Work Agenda in South Africa.

Ends

(250 Words)

 

For interviews please contact

Riefdah Ajam

FEDUSA Acting General Secretary

079 696 2625