23% SALARY INCREASE FOR CONSTRUCTION WORKERS

 MBABANE – The cost of running a construction company will once again rise following a 23 per cent salary increment.

Minister of Labour and Social Security Winnie Magagula, in exercise of powers conferred by section 11 of the Wages Act of 1964, announced that the new salary structure for the construction industry came into effect as from August 1, 2018.

In terms of legal notice number 135 of 2018, which revoked legal notice number 114 of 2013, the new pay grade would be applicable to employees undertaking or part of an undertaking which does construction, structural altercation, maintenance of any railway line, siding, public or private road, waterworks, earthmoving, building and civil engineering works among others.

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It was pointed out that the salary increase order would not be applicable to any undertaking or part which is operated by government and a local authority.
The gazette spelled out that the normal working week (other than for a watchman) would be from Monday to Friday and would consist of 45 hours made up of nine working hours per 24 hour day. The normal working week for a watchman will be 72 hours spread over six shifts, each of 12 hours, inclusive of meal breaks.

“No employee, other than a watchman, shall be required to work for more than five hours with no break of 30 minutes,” it was stipulated.
In terms of overtime payment, it was explained that during the normal working week for overtime worked before midnight in excess of the normal working hours, they would be paid at one and one third times the normal hourly rate of wages.

It was also stipulated that during the normal working week for overtime worked after midnight in continuation of normal working hours or overtime worked after midnight, payment would be calculated at twice the normal hourly rate of wages.

Further, for any time worked on Saturday before 1pm, payment will be calculated at one and half times the normal hourly rate of wages.
It was added that overtime in respect of a watchman would be calculated at twice the normal hourly rate for all time worked on a public holiday or any time worked in excess of 12 hours on any working day.

“Any watchman who has been absent from work during any week without reasonable cause shall not be entitled to overtime in that week until the watchman has completed 72 hours of work,” added Magagula in the gazette.                    

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