We are aware that the process of arriving at a new legislation on national minimum wage has been a long and arduous one. We are hopeful that the new national minimum wage of R3, 500 for workers in South Africa will increase their purchasing power and contribute to stemming poverty and narrowing inequality as well as contribute to stimulate the economy. We salute your government’s resolve and courage to do the needful.
While commending the achievement of national minimum wage in South Africa ITUC-Africa wishes to request you, Mr. President, and your government to become one of the champions for our Minimum Wage Application in Africa Campaign. Essentially, our campaign - “100% Africa- value, dignity, wages” - is a proposal to make 2019 the African Union Year for Decent Wages and Development.
Mr President, notwithstanding the fact that the African Union has adopted Agenda 2063 as a strategic framework for the socio-economic transformation of the continent over the next 50 years we see that the current model of globalization has failed working people with its growth model that relies on low wages, insecure and often unsafe work. We believe this must change for Africa to achieve the trajectory of development for socio-economic transformation that we desire. We are convinced that achieving living wages for all workers over time through the establishment of national minimum wages can help to drive change in this direction.
We are confident that the voice of South Africa, being one of the continent’s leading economies, for the adoption of minimum wages in Africa, will serve African working families well in their struggles against poverty and misery.
We humbly ask that you join us in this campaign.
As we count on your favourable disposition and response to be one of our voices and supporters for this campaign, we ask that you accept, Mr. President, the assurances of our very high regards.
Yours faithfully,

Kwasi Adu-Amankwah

General Secretary, ITUC-Africa