The National Minimum Wage Bill Released For Public Comment

On 17 November 2017, the National Minimum Wage Bill was gazetted for public comment. Given that the Bill was the subject of negotiation and agreement at the National Economic Development and Labour Council ("NEDLAC"), its progress through the legislative process is likely to be fairly smooth. The Bill envisages that it should be in force by 1 May 2018. We highlight its most important provisions below.

The Bill establishes the National Minimum Wage Commission, comprising an independent chairperson appointed by the Minister of Labour, three representatives of organised business, three representatives of the "organised community", three representatives of organised labour and three independent experts. The "organised community" is defined as "those non-governmental organisations identified by the Minister without Portfolio in the Office of the President, which represent community interests relating to reconstruction and development in terms of section 3(5) of the