By 2026, this group\u2014which includes cleaners, cooks, and waitstaff\u2014will see their annual earnings rise from R170,000 to R340,000, surpassing the typical salaries of entry-level teachers and police officers in South Africa. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Parliament is set to double the salaries of its lowest-paid workers over the next three years, marking a significant shift in income for these employees. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
This adjustment is the result of negotiations with the National Education, Health and Allied Workers Union (Nehawu), which has long advocated for improved pay and benefits for workers in lower pay grades within Parliament, reported<\/a><\/strong> the Sunday Times.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Historically, many of these low-category workers were employed under cleaning and catering contracts and lacked the benefits of full-time employment. <\/p>\n\n\n\n About six years ago, following union pressure, these workers were formally absorbed into parliamentary staff at a base monthly salary of R14,166 per month.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Now, with the upcoming salary adjustments, these employees can expect to earn approximately R28,333 per month by March 2026, doubling their current earnings and creating a striking wage increase over the three-year period.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sources told the Sunday Times that the pay increase will be rolled out incrementally.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A 10% raise will take effect next month, followed by a 40% increase in April 2024 and a final 50% boost in 2026. <\/p>\n\n\n\n By the end of the cycle, these workers\u2019 salaries will exceed those of many other public sector employees, including police constables and junior teachers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n For instance, the South African Police Service (SAPS) reports<\/a><\/strong> an average salary of R299,000 per year, or R24,915 per month, for employees in its lowest skill levels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Teachers in the public sector fare even lower, with starting salaries beginning around R154,671 per year, or R12,889 per month, according to the Department of Basic Education\u2019s data<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n