National Minimum Wage Increase - Cape Town, 4 February 2026
The Minister of Employment and Labour, Nomakhosazana Meth, has officially announced the new National Minimum Wage (NMW) for South Africa. the new minimum will come into effect on 1 March 2026.
EPWP workers are excluded as thay are employed under a special dispensation their adjustment will rise from R15,16 per hour to a minimum wage of R16,62 per hour;
Workers who have concluded leamership agreements contemplated in section 17 of the Skills Development Act, 1998 (Act No. 97 of 1998), are entitled to the allowances contained in Schedule 2. The rates on learnershlps will be published in the departmental website.
Summary of adjustments:
The 2026 adjustment follows a recommendation by the National Minimum Wage Commission to increase the rate by the Consumer Price Index (CPI) plus 1.5%. This "inflation-plus" model is designed to protect the purchasing power of low-income earners against the rising cost of living.
Category | 2025 Rate (Current) | 2026 Rate (From 1 March) |
National Minimum Wage (incl. Farm & Domestic) | R28,79 / hour | R30,23 / hour |
Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) | R15,83 / hour | R16,62 / hour |
Learnership Allowances | Varies by NQF | Adjusted per Schedule 2 |
Compliance and Exceptions
The Department of Employment and Labour has emphasized that it is an unfair labour practice for employers to unilaterally reduce working hours or alter employment conditions to offset the wage increase.
While the majority of sectors must comply with the R30,23 floor, small businesses or employers facing genuine financial distress may apply for a temporary exemption through the National Minimum Wage online system. However, such exemptions are subject to strict criteria and are generally not granted indefinitely.
