National Minimum Wage: 2025 Annual Review and Submission Deadline

Posted 19 August 2025 Written by Acts Online
Category Labour

Brought to you by SA Legal Academy: In terms of the National Minimum Wage Act, No. 9 of 2018, the National Minimum Wage Commission has initiated its annual review process to determine potential adjustments to the national minimum wage, with the submission deadline extended to 30 September 2025.

The Commission is mandated to conduct annual reviews of the wage level and report its recommendations to the Minister of Employment & Labour, Nomakhosazana Meth. A notice gazetted on 18 September 2025 formally extended the initial deadline for input to ensure broader stakeholder participation. Stakeholders are required to provide written representations and complete a prescribed questionnaire to assist the Commission in its assessment.

The review process considers several factors as required by the National Minimum Wage Act, No. 9 of 2018, including:

  • Inflation and the cost of living;
  • Wage differentials and inequality;
  • The impact on employment and the ability of employers to carry on business successfully; and
  • The health, safety, and welfare of workers.

Once the Commission has finalised its report and recommendations, the document will be published for further public comment. This subsequent consultation period allows for additional scrutiny of the proposed adjustments before the Minister makes a final determination on the new wage levels, which typically take effect on 1 March of the following year.

Click here to download the Gazette notice extending the submission deadline.

What this means for you, your business, or your clients

  • For yourself: No direct individual compliance obligations; impact is channelled through the professional advisory role regarding future labour cost forecasting and statutory compliance.
  • For your business: Firms must monitor the review process to anticipate potential increases in the 2026 labour cost base and ensure any formal submissions or questionnaires are filed by the 30 September 2025 deadline.
  • For your clients: Clients in sectors with high concentrations of minimum wage earners should be advised to prepare data-driven submissions to the Commission to ensure their specific industry economic realities are considered in the adjustment recommendation.

Originally published at https://legalacademy.co.za/news/read/national-minimum-wage-annual-review-begins

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