Business owners, workers urged to have their say on national minimum wage adjustments for 2026
Stakeholders, including business owners and workers, have been urged to submit their views on potential adjustments to the national minimum wage for 2026.
Image: File
The National Minimum Wage (NMW) Commission is calling on all interested parties or stakeholders to make written submission for possible adjustments to the NMW for 2026.
The Commission said it will provide its annual report and recommendations on a possible adjustment to the National Minimum Wage to the Minister of Employment and Labour later this year.
A statement from the Department of Employment and Labour said NMW chairperson Imraan Valodia was urging all interested parties to take the opportunity to have their say in the possible adjustment.
The department statement said the NMW is the lowest remuneration rate that employers are obligated and legally permitted to pay their employees for each ordinary hour worked. It is illegal for employers to pay their employees less than the minimum threshold. The NMW was first introduced for implementation in South Africa in 2019.
“The minimum wage is currently fixed at R28,79 for each ordinary hour worked. The current rate was announced in February 2025 by Minister of the Department of Employment and Labour, Nomakhosazana Meth.”
The current rate was increased by 4.2% compared to last year's rate. The Commission is responsible for annually reviewing and recommending adjustments to the national minimum wage.
It also investigates and reports annually to the Minister on the impact of the national minimum wage on the economy, collective bargaining, and income differentials, making this information available to the public.
The department said comments should reach the directorate: Employment Standards, Department of Employment and Labour, Private Bag X117, Pretoria, 0001 or be sent to nmwreview@labour.gov.za by September 18.
In addition to making representations on NMW, the Commission is appealing to interested parties to complete a survey questionnaire which can be accessed here or via the Department of Employment and Labour’s website and social media pages.