We understand that the YES salary is more than just a means of income. Our joint efforts to combat youth unemployment are crucial, as one in two young people are currently without jobs in South Africa.
74% of YES Youth come from households that receive social grants, and 78% have dependents, meaning the impact of the YES salary ripples across families and communities. By placing young people in jobs and including them into the economy, we are helping to create a sustainable future for our country, companies and youth. Together, we have injected over R9.6 billion into the economy through youth wallets.
And now, this salary will be going much further, with the recent minimum wage increase, effective 01 March 2025.
Minimum wage update
An amendment to the Minimum Wage Act of 2018 has increased the national minimum wage from R27.58 per ordinary hour worked to R28.79 [Gazette no.52053]
But what does this wage increase mean for you?
Where a YES Youth works 40 ordinary hours per week, the YES Youth will need to be paid a minimum wage of R4 992.00 per month.
- It’s an increase of R210.00 from the R4 782.00 minimum wage that applied previously .
- Adding to this, The Skills Development Levy and Unemployment Insurance Fund company contribution will therefore also increase to a combined R99.84 per youth per month.
- This is calculated at 1% of R4 992.00 per month for each of UIF and SDL (R4 992.00 x 1% = R49.92) and brings the total increased wage cost to R5 091.84 per youth per month.
If your YES Youth wages are paid via YES, you will shortly be receiving an invoice from YES for the related minimum wage top-up contribution required.
Youth employment is now, more than ever, critical for the many families and communities an income supports. Thank you for your continued investment in our youth. Sowing the seeds today means that we can reap a better future tomorrow, together. Your investment in our future matters.
Amendment to the Gazette