National Minimum Wage

R20 an hour is an insult, say marchers

Nationwide protests against proposed minimum wage

By , , and

News | 25 April 2018

Why National Minumum Wage negotiations are deadlocked

Are business negotiators representing the best interests of their constituency?

By

Analysis | 25 October 2016

Study links wage increase to job losses on farms

But researchers cautious about findings

By

News | 28 July 2016

Minimum wages: too high will hurt poor people

At Cosatu's demand of R4,500 per month, we risk increasing unemployment

By

Opinion | 15 February 2016

Zuma's national minimum wage "own goal"

President is placating business and wavering on policy

By

Opinion | 15 February 2016

National minimum wage part three: the options

Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa is hosting a social dialogue between business, labour and other constituencies over setting a national minimum wage (NMW). This is the final installment of a three part series by two University of Cape Town professors.

Nicoli Nattrass and Jeremy Seekings

Analysis | 26 November 2015

National minimum wage part two: What will happen to jobs?

Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa is hosting a social dialogue between business, labour and other constituencies over setting a national minimum wage (NMW). This is the second of a three part series by two University of Cape Town professors. Part one looked at South African minimum wage-setting in comparative context. Here they discuss the relationship between minimum wages and employment.

Nicoli Nattrass and Jeremy Seekings

Analysis | 25 November 2015

National minimum wage part one: Comparing South Africa to other countries

Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa is hosting a social dialogue between business, labour and other constituencies over setting a national minimum wage (NMW). Minimum wages currently vary from sector to sector. A NMW would set a national wage floor applying to all workers irrespective of existing collective agreements and sectoral wage determinations. What level should the NMW be? This is the first of a three part series by two University of Cape Town professors.

Nicoli Nattrass and Jeremy Seekings

Analysis | 24 November 2015

South Africa’s 5 million working poor

Every day millions across South Africa do arduous work in jobs that cannot keep them and their dependants out of poverty. These are the “working poor” and according to a new study, there are about five and half million of them.

Gilad Isaacs

Opinion | 25 August 2015

Minimum wage debate: the old cheap labour system will get us nowhere

The low wage argument is a red herring, argue Gilad Isaacs and Ben Fine in the latest contribution to the minimum wage debate.

Gilad Isaacs and Ben Fine

Opinion | 17 December 2014

What is at issue in the minimum wage debate?

Wages should be regulated, but minimum wages should be set at levels that do not destroy jobs, write Jeremy Seekings and Nicoli Nattrass.

Jeremy Seekings and Nicoli Nattrass

Opinion | 27 November 2014

Why Mike Schussler is wrong about inequality

Popular economist Mike Schussler’s recently published article distorts the available statistical evidence to buttress a bizarre argument.

Gilad Isaacs

Opinion | 22 July 2014