Farm Workers Wage Increases

Department of Labour extends olive branch to Farm workers!

Media Release: Department of Labour

The Department of Labour’s amendment to the Sectoral Determination will bring smiles to more than 600 000 farm workers whose wages will increase when the changes are effected on 1 March 2011. The Sectoral Determination categorises farm workers’ wages in three rates, being hourly, weekly and monthly. Hourly rate will increase from R6.74 to R7.04, whilst Weekly rate will rise from R303.84 to R317.51, and Monthly rate of R1 316. 69 will increase to R1 375.94. “The wages in this Sector are linked to the Consumer Price Index as the base and at present it stands at 3.5%. According the Sectoral Determination the wage increases are  determined by utilising the CPI plus 1% and this means that the new minimum wage is  4.5% higher than the current minimum wage,” said Page Boikanyo, the Departmental spokesperson.

Boikie Mampuru, the Director, Inspections and Enforcement Services said “It is an open secret that the Department conducts Blitz inspections across all sectors in the country to ensure compliance in all labour legislations and as such the Farm Worker Sector is no exception. Those who ignore these amendments will meet the might of the law and will be forced to comply,”  

Issued by: Page Boikanyo
Departmental Spokesperson
www.labour.gov.za