The fairness of minimum wages in South Africa

Although the debate on minimum wages is far from new it remains a controversial issue for all role players in South Africa, for instance with the research done by the government on the laying down/introduction of national minimum wages in 1994. Much research has already been done on the economic merits of certain aspects regarding minimum wages. However, very little, if indeed any, has been done on the ethical side of minimum wages. This article therefore addresses the issue of minimum wages from an ethical point of view. From the Scriptures we learn that “A worker should be given his pay” – (Good News Bible) or “a worker deserves his wages” (New International Version). Unless otherwise stated, all Bible quotations in this article are taken from the NIV. The discussion therefore suggests that minimum wages or any type of wages for that matter, cannot be paid without considering the productivity levels of the workers concerned. There should certainly not be any “free lunch” – especially not in a low‐productivity economy such as South Africa.