COSATU welcomes national minimum wage increase

On 1 March 2026, the national minimum wage will increase from R28,79 to R30,23 per hour.

Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) spokesperson, Zanele Sabela says although they had proposed a higher increase, they welcome the change.

"It is above inflation, and therefore it will keep up [with] what the National Minimum Wage Act says... it shouldn't be eroded by inflation, because that way it might plunge workers deeper into debt and poverty."

Sabela says, however, that more work needs to be done.

"The Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP)... workers are still only being paid R16,62 – and they should be coming up to where everyone else is.

"It has done a lot, it's lifted about six million workers out of poverty – this was aimed at farm workers, domestic workers, construction, retail, transport, hospitality, security and cleaning... some of them who were making as little as R6 per hour.

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In response to the question of compliance, Sabela says there are plans in place to enforce these laws.

"We are happy that the Minister of Employment and Labour is intending to bring on about 20,000 more labour inspectors... they have the powers to actually visit a business unannounced and make sure that minimum wage is being paid."

To listen to Zanele Sabela in conversation with CapeTalk and 702’s Mandy Wiener, use the audio player below: