Gordhan supports National Minimum Wage report

Cape Town - The National Minimum Wage report offers a constructive approach to addressing inequality and unemployment, according to Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan.

A panel of experts commissioned by the National Economic Development and Labor Council (Nedlac) recommended a minimum wage of R3 500 a month.

National Treasury like various other stakeholders contributed to the preliminary minimum wage task team discussions at Nedlac.

“We believe that the panel has taken all the submission into consideration in coming up with a framework that seeks to support inclusive economic growth," said Gordhan.

The National Treasury fully supports the report, which Gordhan said "represents a balanced, thoughtful and constructive approach to addressing the challenge of inequality and unemployment".

He said the report, which also takes account of the need to support employment creation, also represents an important milestone for government.

"We encourage all stakeholders and South Africans to participate in, and support actively this collective effort to address fault lines, like inequality in society and in the economy”, he concluded.