Wage hikes for farmworkers
18 March 2004
The Department of Labour announced on Wednesday that workers in the agriculture sector are entitled to wage increases of 9% to 10% from March.
These annual wage hikes are regulated by the Sectoral Determination for the Agricultural Sector, which sets minimum wages and employment conditions for the industry.
Labour Minister Membathisi Mdladlana said there is a level of flexibility within the Determination to ensure that the conditions allow for job creation.
"Examples of this flexibility include the split wage levels – recognising the different economic challenges facing farmers in different parts of the country, and the room given to farmers to apply for variations", Mdladlana said.
When the determination was promulgated in December 2001, minimum wages were set at R800 for workers in areas of the country where average household income is more than R24 000 per annum (A areas), and at R650 for those where average household income is
less than R24 000 per annum (B areas).
The annual increment means that workers on a minimum wage in A areas will receive a 9 percent increase calculated on an hourly basis (or a R71.58 increase per month), while minimum wage B area workers will get a 10 percent increase calculated on an hourly basis (or R63.65 increase for a full month's work).
The minister acknowledged the impact that the drought has had on farmers in many areas. He said those farmers who were unable to implement the increases would have to present their cases to the department, in the form of an application for a variation to the Determination. These would be dealt with on a case-by-case basis.
"The government is committed to protect these vulnerable workers, and will enforce the legislation", he said.
"Thus far, I am pleased by the high levels of compliance to the Sectoral Determination on the part of farmers", the minister added. "Recent inspections have shown substantive compliance levels
of between 65 percent and 90 percent."
Source: Department of Labour
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