SA lost 48 000 domestic worker jobs in a year. What you must pay now
Stats SA says domestic worker jobs fell to 800 000 in Q3 2026, down 48 000 in a year and the lowest since 2020. The minimum wage for domestic workers is R30.23 an hour.
South Africa had 800 000 domestic workers in the third quarter of 2026, down 31 000 in three months and 48 000 in a year, Stats SA's latest Quarterly Labour Force Survey shows (Stats SA).
BusinessTech points out it's the lowest count since the second quarter of 2020, when the hard lockdown cut the number to 745 000 (BusinessTech).
How many domestic worker jobs were lost?
| Period | Domestic workers employed |
|---|---|
| July to September 2025 | 848 000 |
| April to June 2026 | 831 000 |
| July to September 2026 | 800 000 |
| Change in a quarter | down 31 000 (3.7%) |
| Change in a year | down 48 000 (5.6%) |
Figures from the Q3 2026 Quarterly Labour Force Survey (Stats SA).
Jobs in private households as a whole, which also counts gardeners and other household staff, fell 7.9% in a year, a loss of 87 000 jobs (BusinessTech). The wider picture is in our Q3 2026 unemployment explainer: the official rate rose to 33.7%.
Why are domestic worker jobs disappearing?
Stats SA's survey counts jobs but doesn't give reasons. BusinessTech's analysis points to households squeezed by the cost of living, emigration and red tape for employers. It also links the drop to anti-immigrant protests and the departure of migrant workers (BusinessTech).
Employers are also watching the Employment Services Amendment Bill. As proposed, it would fine an employer R100 000 for a first offence of hiring a foreign worker who isn't legally allowed to work in South Africa, rising to as much as R1 million or jail for repeat offences. BusinessTech says the bill applies to private households too (BusinessTech). It is still a bill, not law.
What must I pay my domestic worker in 2026?
Since 1 March 2026 the national minimum wage for domestic workers is R30.23 an hour, up from R28.79 (gov.za).
| Hours worked | Minimum pay |
|---|---|
| 8-hour day | R241.84 |
| 40-hour week | R1 209.20 |
| Month at 40 hours a week | R5 239.46 |
Figures from the Department of Employment and Labour (Department of Employment and Labour).
One rule catches many households out: someone who works less than four hours on a day must be paid for four hours (Department of Employment and Labour).
What if I'm paid less than the minimum wage?
The department says workers who aren't paid the minimum can lay a complaint at their nearest Department of Employment and Labour office or at the CCMA (Department of Employment and Labour).
FAQ
How many domestic workers are there in South Africa in 2026?
800 000 in the third quarter of 2026, according to Stats SA's Quarterly Labour Force Survey, down from 848 000 a year earlier.
How many domestic worker jobs were lost in Q3 2026?
31 000 in the quarter and 48 000 compared with the same quarter of 2025.
What is the minimum wage for domestic workers in 2026?
R30.23 an hour from 1 March 2026. That is R5 239.46 a month for a 40-hour week.
Do I pay for a full day if my domestic worker works two hours?
You must pay for at least four hours on any day they work less than four hours, according to the Department of Employment and Labour.