Swazi Observer

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MINIMUM WAGE HIKE FOR 11 INDUSTRIES

By PHEPHILE MOTAU | 2024-10-08

THE manufacturing and processing industries wages council has proposed an increment of the minimum wages for the industry of up to about 60 per cent.

This is according to the proposal of the Regulation of Wages (Manufacturing and Processing Industry) Order, 2024.

This applies to persons employed in the manufacturing and processing industries, including the manufacture of bricks, concrete, recycling, dry cleaning and laundry, timber processing, printing and weaving.

The proposals have been made by the wages councils for the different sectors, who include employer representatives, employee representatives and independent members.
Previously, employees in this industry were divided into three categories, category one, two and there.

Category one was further divided and the lowest paid were learner craftsperson, learner finisher, learner spinner, learner weaver and casual employee had a minimum wage of E354.90 per week.

The minimum wage for the highest paid in this category was E565.05 per week, and this was for employees who included slaughter man, driver/messenger, laboratory assistant, presser attendant and others.

Chassis
The proposal shows that all those in category one would have a minimum wage of E565.13 per week, meaning previously they had a minimum wage of E354.90.

Some of those in category two, who include the cabinet fitter, chassis fitter, clerk/ stores assistant, driver (L.D.V), forklift operator, picture tube assembler and switchboard operator had a minimum wage of E542.17 per week, and it could increase to E 622.94, which is the proposed minimum wage.

The employee with the highest minimum wage was the laboratory technician, who had a minimum wage of E1 771.15 per week which could now increase by three per cent to E1 824.28 per week.

The ministry of labour and social security on September 25, in a notice stated that copies of the proposals of 11 industries could be obtained from the ministry and regional officers.

It further invited written representations with respect to the proposals to be sent to the commissioner of labour within 30 days from the date of publication of the notice.
Besides the minimum wages, the proposals also included conditions of employment which should be applied to all the employees.

ATUSWA Secretary General Wander Mkhonza said although he was part of the negotiations for the increase of minimum wages in this industry, he preferred to comment once everything had been made official.

E1 450 for domestic workers

THE minimum wage for domestic employees could increase to E1 453.21 per month.
This is a five per cent increase from the current minimum wage of E1 358.14 per month for the gardener, house attendant, laundress, children’s nurse and herdsman.

The minimum wage for the cook could increase to E1 488.37 from E1 391.
The proposal stated that 3.5 per cent shall be added to the employee who already earns more than the basic minimum wage.

It further stated that an additional 28 per cent shall be added in each job category to the employee’s wages if the employee was made to work more than one job as specified in the job categories.

It said the employer shall grant the employee one (1) rest day each week, to be fixed by mutual agreement between the parties.

“If an employer offers an employee accommodation as part of the conditions of employment, the accommodation shall be free of charge,” the proposal states.

On that note, Coordinator of Eswatini Domestic Workers Union Phumelele Dlamini said she would make a comment once everything was formalised.

Gap between rural, urban pre-schools to be bridged

THE proposed minimum wages for the pre-schools and day-care centres industry will bridge the gap between those in urban and rural areas and others.

Previously, those in the urban areas had a higher minimum wage than the others. However, the proposed minimum wage order states that the minimum wages are for all areas.

Those considered to be in urban areas included those in Bhunya, Big Bend, Malkerns, Manzini, Mbabane, including establishments which were on either side of the Manzini-Mbabane Road, among many other areas.

The proposed basic minimum wage for all teachers is E2 606.23, while assistant teachers have a proposed minimum wage of E2 255.78.

Previously, the minimum wage for teachers in urban areas was E2 458 per month, while those in all other areas was E2 048 per month.

According to the proposals, minimum wages will be calculated at a rate not less than that specified in the schedule and not be reduced by any amount for housing or accommodation or transport, which the employer may provide. It further states that where an employee performs more than one duty as specified in the job category, they shall be paid, in addition to their wages, half the wages payable to a labourer.

5% increase for
security guards

SECURITY services industry employees will have an increase of 5.5 per cent if the new minimum wage orders are passed.

According to the draft regulations, those in group one currently have a proposed minimum wage of E84.90 per shift, while group b, c and d have minimum wages of E109.20, E112.16 and E133.60, respectively.

The gazette showed that group A means an employee, other than a patrol supervisor, with three months or less service; group B means an employee with more than three months’ service, while group C means a patrol supervisor Grade II;

An employer of a security guard shall provide such employee free of charge a shirt, trouser, boots (shoes for female security guards) a whistle, a club, torch; and where reasonably required under the prevailing weather conditions, a hat, raincoat or overcoat.

Proposed rate per shift:
n Group A- E84.90
n Group B- E109.20
n Group C- E112,160
n Group D- E133.60
n Telephonist- E92.80
n Clerk -E133.60
n Cash in Transit guard -E119.90
n Cash in Transit driver- E133.20

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