For 2012 the increase is based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI) 6 weeks prior to February 1, 2012 which equals 6,4%.
The increase is linked to the amount earned, e.g. a shop assistant working in George, Mossel Bay, Oudtshoorn, or Knysna earning R2 575,56 (the current minimum wage in Area A for a shop assistant who falls in the following described category), must be paid R2 741,49 as from February 1, 2012.
According to the Sectoral Determination a shop assistant "means an employee who packs, replenishes, marks, assembles or assists in the dispatching of products on instruction from a more senior employee."
According to this definition a shop assistant is not allowed to accept payments from customers, in other words, to work on a till. The moment that happens he/she will be considered, according to this Determination, as a sales assistant who is entitled to a higher wage.
If a worker earns more than the new prescribed applicable wage for his/her category an increase cannot be enforced under the Sectoral Determination, because the increase is linked to the prescribed minimum wage.
An increase can however be negotiated.
If a worker currently earns more than the minimum amount prescribed by the increase effective as from February 1, 2011 but less than the wage payable as from February 1, 2012, he/she must receive an increase up to the new wage e.g. if a shop assistant currently earns R2 600, his/her salary must be increased to R2 741,49.
The above example is based on a 45 hour working week. If a person works less than 45 hours per week, the salary must be calculated according to a prescribed hourly rate. For a shop assistant the prescribed hourly rate is R14,06. The Sectoral Determination also makes provision for workers who work 27 hours and less per week, by setting a higher hourly rate for those. For a shop assistant falling in this category the hourly rate is R14,57.
The wages prescribed by this Sectoral determination are also area specific. A shop assistant in Area A e.g. George, Knysna, Mossel Bay, Oudtshoorn will earn R14,06 per hour while a shop assistant in Area B e.g. Uniondale will earn R11,56. A shop assistant in Area B working 27 hours or less per week will earn R12,04.
A person that performs commission work must earn at least two thirds of the prescribed minimum wage for his/her specific category, but may not, commission included, earn less than the minimum wage.
As there are various categories of employees, e.g. managers, assistant managers, sales persons, sales assistants, general assistants etc, employers and employees are urged to contact the Labour Centre to determine the correct minimum wage applicable in their specific area and category.
Employers who cannot afford the prescribed minimum wages can apply for variation on the prescribed form.
For more information contact your nearest Labour Centre. The contact numbers are:
- LC George: 044 801 1200
- LC Oudtshoorn: 044 203 6100
- LC Knysna: 044 302 6800
- LC Mossel Bay: 044 691 1140
