New National Minimum Wage: Both futile and destructive

2-minute read
07 February 2024 | 16:59 CAT

The proposed National Minimum Wage hike for 2024. Photo/ BusinessTECH

Only some people are happy with the new National Minimum Wage Minister of Employment and Labour Thulas Nxesi announced on Friday, taking the minimum wage for a general worker from R25.42 to R27.58 per hour from 1 March.

Chief Executive of the National Employers Association of South Africa (NEASA),
Gerhard Papenfus speaks on Radio Islam International on the recently announced 8.5/ increase to the national minimum wage and its potential implications for employment in the economy.

Papenfus points out that Employment and Labour Minister Thulas Nxesi’s announcement of an 8.5% increase to the national minimum wage is based on the advice and recommendations of the National Minimum Wage Commission (NMWC).

According to him, the NMWC “ignored the input of numerous business institutions and trade unions who warned of the dire consequences of implementing further increases and the calls for the scrapping of the national minimum wage and simply proceeded with recommending the implementation of its own original proposals”.

Papenfus adds that how the NMWC reached its conclusion shows the “futility” of the public participation process leading up to its eventual recommendation.

He suggests that the solution lies in a growing economy, robust labour market arrangements, and a new approach to working.

Listen to the full interview on The Daily Round-Up with Moulana Junaid Kharsany.

Residents’ Concerns Falling On Deaf Ears

Rabia Mayet | rabiamayet@radioislam.co.za 21 September 2026 3-minute read As SA heads towards local government elections in November, communities across KZN want to know if their concerns are actually being heard. From water, service delivery and financial management...

The Palestine Report

21 September 2026 | 12:57 CAT Gaza’s crisis deepens: homes collapse, schools in ruin and Palestine gains cultural solidarity Gaza’s collapsing buildings expose the impossible choices facing Palestinians: With 78% of structures damaged or destroyed and conventional...

The Keys To eThekwini

Rabia Mayet | rabiamayet@radioislam.co.za 15 September 2026 3-minute read With a crowded mayoral race, deep service delivery issues, and the possibility of a fragmented council, the question of who gets the keys to eThekwini looms large for Durban residents. Having...

Newcastle Residents Take To The Streets

Rabia Mayet | rabiamayet@radioislam.co.za 14 September 2026 3-minute read Burst pipes, water shutdowns, dishevelled pavements, uncut grass, and potholes that have turned into craters are compelling Newcastle residents to take their municipal bills and service delivery...

A Struggling ANC

Rabia Mayet | rabiamayet@radioislam.co.za 10 September 2026 3-minute read Founder of Corruption Watch David Lewis pens in an article that the liberation movement is struggling as the ANC’s political transition falters. Speaking to Ml Junaid Kharsany, Lewis points out...

From Activist To Councillor

Rabia Mayet | rabiamayet@radioislam.co.za 08 September 2026 2-minute read Hoping to take his activism into the council chamber, Ahmed Kayalsum, also known as Dees Ahmed, a resident of the Musgrave area in Durban for 33 years, has been an active community member for...