Following a thorough consultative process with the National Economic Development and Labour Council (Nedlac) stakeholders Employment and Labour Minister T.W Nxesi has announced the appointment of second National Minimum Wage (NMW) Commission to advice on the setting of the national minimum wage and sectoral determinations.

The inaugural NMW Commission was announced in 2019 by former Labour Minister, Mildred Oliphant and its term ended on 31 January 2024. The establishment of NMWC followed the implementation of the new policy framework of NMW in 2019. The NMW Commission replaced the Employment Conditions Commission (ECC) that has been presiding over the setting of Sectoral Determinations (SDs).

Academic and economist Professor Imraan Valodia has been appointed as the Chairperson of the new Commission. Valodia is one of the four independent candidates in the 13-member Commission. He replaces Professor Adriaan van der Walt.

The appointment of the new Commission is in compliance with the NMW Act that provides for the establishment of a National Minimum Wage Commission. The appointments include: independent experts, representatives of organised business, organised community and organised labour respectively to serve on the NMW Commission.

Members of the new Commission will serve for five years. It is structured as follows:  

• Mr. Kaizer Moyane (BUSA), Mr. Jonathan Goldberg (BUSA), Ms. Jahni de Villiers (BUSA) - (business representatives);
• Mr. Edward Thobejane (NACTU), Mr. Solly Phetoe (COSATU), Mr. Trenton Esley (FEDUSA) - (labour representatives);
• Ms. Isobel Frye  (Financial Sector Coalition Campaign), Ms. Conti Matlakala (Women's National Coalition), Mr. Tumelo Zwane (South African Youth Council) - (community representatives).
• Professor Valodia from Wits University, Dr Neva Makgetla from Trade & Industrial Policy Strategies (TIPS), Ms Mamokete Lijane from Standard Bank, and Mr Gavin Hartford from Stakeholder Solutions – (independent experts)
  
  Some of the functions of the Commission include the following:

• Reviewing the NMW and recommending its adjustment;
• Investigating and reporting to the Minister on the impact of the NMW on the economy and collective bargaining.
• Investigating income differentials and advising the Minister on measures to reduce income differentials;
• Setting medium term targets for the national minimum wage within three years of the commencement of this Act;
• Advising the Minister on sectoral determinations; and
• Advising the Minister on any matter concerning basic conditions of employment.
  
  The purpose of the NMW Act is to advance economic development and social justice by –
  
  • Improving the wages of the lowest paid workers;
  
  • Protecting the workers from unreasonably low wages;
  
  • Preserving the value on the national minimum wage;
  
  • Promote the collective bargaining; and
  
  • Supporting economic policy
  
  The members of the Commission are appointed on a part-time basis and on terms and conditions prescribed by the Minister in consultation with the Minister of Finance
  
  Valodia is Professor of Economics and Director of the Southern Centre for Inequality Studies at University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg. He has produced a number of research papers on issues such as: inequality, climate justice, competition policy and industrial development and employment in developing countries.
  
  Professor Valodia played a leading role in establishing and leading Wits University's Southern Centre for Inequality Studies (SCIS), a multi-disciplinary cross-country initiative to promote research and policy change to advance greater equality. Professor Valodia has led and participated in a number of large national and international studies.
  
  He has published extensively in leading academic journals and in the popular press on issues related to his research interests. He is recognised nationally and internationally for his research in economic development. Professor Valodia is a part-time member of the Competition Tribunal in South Africa.
  
  In early 2018, he was appointed to a Panel to advise the Minister of Economic Development on amendments to the Competition Act. Professor Valodia has also served on a Panel of Experts to advise the Minister of Finance on Value-Added Taxes and zero-rating, and the Minister of Higher Education on the funding of higher education in South Africa. He serves as a member of President Ramaphosa's Presidential Economic Advisory Council (PEAC) in South Africa.
  
  Professor Valodia has worked with a number of international institutions including the International Labour Organization (ILO), the World Bank, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) and UN Women. He is a member of the Board of the United Nations Research Institute for Social Development (UNRISD), and a member of the Board of the research network, Women in Informal Employment: Globalizing and Organizing (WIEGO). He is a member of the Advisory Board of the Global Development Institute at the University of Manchester.
  
  For media enquiries contact:
  
  Teboho Thejane
  
  Departmental Spokesperson
  
  082 697 0694 / teboho.thejane@labour.gov.za    
  
   
  
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  Issued by: Department of Employment and Labour​

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