NEWS: Domestic Workers Still Earn Less Than Legal Minimum

Despite the government mandated minimum wage, nearly half of all domestic workers still earn less than the legal minimum.

Recent reports from SweepSouth show that most (98%) of domestic workers are women, and on average across the entire sector earn R33.35/hour. Unfortunately, almost half (46%) earn below the legal minimum. 

‘almost half (46%) earn below the legal minimum’

Employers in the Western Cape pay the most followed by Gauteng. 

It is estimated that 60% come from Zimbabwe and around 40% from SA. 

Since Covid hit in 2020 employment numbers in this sector dropped by 161 000 workers across the country. There are currently around 850 000 domestic workers in SA.