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8 Oct 2012

The Wholesale and Retail Sector public briefings got off to a good start in Polokwane on Monday with the Department of Labour officials explaining that the minimum wage is set to be reviewed in January next year.

The current minimum wage for the sector stands at R 2396.37 for a Cashier while a Shop Assistant earns R 2354.37.

The hearings are part the Department’s efforts to solicit views from affected stakeholder about the forthcoming wage adjusted and other working conditions.

The process will feed into Employment Condition Commission (ECC), the body that advices the Minister on wages and other conditions of Employment.

Titus Mtsweni, Acting Director of Employment Standards, said the primary purpose of the hearing is to review and get inputs from stakeholders with regard to minimum wages as well as to take a relook at job categories by aligning them to current realities in the sector.

The sector employs about 1 200 000 people across nine provinces.

Louis du Plessis, one of the large employers in Limpopo said “the critical thing in coming up with any wage adjustment is to find a balance between the needs of the employees as against the realities of the employers.”

“We should look at the economy and try to accommodate people with reasonable wages within the context and ensuring that the operation of business remains sustainable.”

The hearing will continue in Tzaneen on Tuesday where the focus will be on taxi industry.

Contact:
Titus Mtsweni
Cell: 083 521 0917

Issued by: Department of Labour
8 Oct 2012

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