Minimum wage | Proposed increase could impact jobs, says NEASA

JOHANNESBURG - Government's proposed increase to the minimum wage could see already-skyrocketing unemployment worsen.

That's according to the National Employers Association.

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The association says while many employees need more money, some employers might not be able to afford it.

Stakeholders have been given until 13 January to respond to the proposal of an 8 percent increase.

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"If you're talking about 8 percent, it's just a little bit more than the current inflation rate," said the association's Gerhard Papenfus.

"We're sitting with a huge unemployment rate and the question is always how do you satisfy the demands of those being paid on this level."