South Africa's Minister of Employment and Labour published Government Gazette 54544, increasing the BCEA (Basic Conditions of Employment Act) earnings threshold effective 1 May 2026.

What is changing

BCEA earnings threshold

• From 1 May 2026, the earnings threshold increases from R261 748.45 to R269 600.90 per annum.
• Employees earning more than R269 600.90 per annum are excluded from the following BCEA sections:
  
• Section 9 (ordinary hours of work)
  
• Section 10 (overtime)
  
• Section 11 (compressed working week)
  
• Section 12 (averaging of hours of work)
  
• Section 14 (meal intervals)
  
• Section 15 (daily and weekly rest period)
  
• Section 16 (pay for work on Sundays)
  
• Section 17(2) (night work)
  
• Section 18(3) (public holidays not ordinarily worked)
  

Definition of "earnings" for threshold purposes

• "Earnings" means the regular annual remuneration before deductions, including income tax, pension, medical and similar payments, but excluding similar contributions made by the employer on behalf of the employee.
• The following are not regarded as remuneration for this purpose: subsistence and transport allowances received, achievement awards, and payments for overtime worked.

Definition of "remuneration"

• "Remuneration" means any payment in money or in kind, or both, made or owing to any person in return for that person working.

Official source

• Official publication link: https://businesstech.co.za/news/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/54544-17-4-EmploymentLabour.pdf