How Much To Pay a Domestic Worker

The Department of Labour has set a minimum wage of R1066 per month within urban areas. Hardly enough to live on, let alone inspire loyalty, honesty, reliability and a good work ethic.

There are no easy answers but our minimum recommendations are:

R2 000.00 for a basic domestic worker (cleaning and laundry). Where there is the added responsibility of children, we recommend that employers pay nothing less than R2 400.00 per month and the demand for excellent child minders, with experience and references to prove it, can expect to earn R2 600.00 and up. As the skills of the worker improves, so do the salary expectations.

It is also the norm that for live-out positions, transport costs are paid on top of the wage (approximately R180.00 for a monthly train ticket and R220.00 for the monthly taxi fares). Live-in positions should receive their accommodation and food as part of the package.

Naturally these are only guidelines with the final package depending on the individual needs of the employer and the skills of the employee; this to be negotiated between the parties. The employer needs to weigh up the scope of duties required and the affordability of domestic help. Employees should be guided as to other advantages: such as long-term growth, training and a good working relationship.

Remember we are all individual and have different needs; someone looking for a substitute “mother” for their children who cooks; does the shopping; baby-sits and requires little supervision will pay a lot more than the bachelor who only requires that his flat is kept clean and his shirts ironed.

When employing a domestic worker on a part-time basis, we recommend that one calculates and pays a monthly salary, which is more likely to encourage a worker to take the job more seriously, and enables them to look at the bigger picture. The recommended rate per day varies between R120 and R180. To calculate this as a monthly rate, one would multiply the number of days worked per week by the daily rate and then by 4.333 (the average month length as used by the Department of Labour).

It is important to stress that when talking about part-time workers that there is no benefit to the worker, in working half days. The worker has to pay the same amount in transport and invariably people want the mornings so there is very little chance in them being able to fill the balance of the day. We advise against half days unless the rate is the same as a full day in which case you might as well take the full day. When looking at part-time workers, generally the skill level is basic domestic. The other skills of cooking, childcare, planning, etc generally come through full time employment and development.

Ultimately, although money is a large motivator, treating employees with respect, recognizing their personal space, time and life all go a long way in paving the route to a successful long term working relationship.