Your basic rights
You have the right to:
- Fair pay
- A monthly payslip
- Rest and paid leave
- A written contract
- Freedom from exploitation
- Respect and dignity
Every home that employs a worker is a workplace.
You are not alone
If your employer:
- Underpays you
- Refuses to register you
- Makes you work long hours
- Treats you unfairly
- Dismisses you unfairly
Help is available.
Speak to a domestic workers’ organisation or legal advice centre.
Learn more about your rights
Fair pay
- You must be paid at least the national minimum wage. Being paid less is against the law.
- Fair pay is your right, not a favour.
Payslips
You must get a payslip every month.
A payslip shows:
- Hours worked
- Wage calculations
- Deductions
- Leave balances
No payslip means no proof of your work and wages.
Ask for one.
Written contract
You have the right to a written agreement.
It must show:
- Your employer’s contact details
- Your working hours
- Your rest periods and days off
- Your wages
- Your duties
- Your leave allowance
A contract protects you. You can ask to take it home and read it before signing.
You may want to ask a trusted friend or family member to go through it with you.
Working hours and rest
- You cannot be made to work more than 45 hours a week.
- If you agree to overtime, it should not be more than 15 hours per week.
- You have the right to rest periods during the workday and at least 1.5 days off on the weekend.
Rest is your right.
Paid leave
You have the right to:
- Annual leave
- Sick leave
- Family responsibility leave
- Maternity leave
Leave is a right, not a favour.
Safety and respect
No one may:
- Shout at you
- Threaten you
- Use racial or xenophobic language
- Treat you badly
- Hit you or physically abuse you
- Harass or sexually abuse you
- Read your private communications or search your belongings
Abuse and bullying are against the law.
You deserve dignity at work.
UIF protects you
UIF helps if you:
- Lose your job
- Get sick
- Go on maternity leave
- If your employer passes away
Your employer must register you for UIF, make monthly contributions, and provide you with the UIF U19 form if you are dismissed or retrenched.
COIDA protects you
If you are injured at work, COIDA helps pay for:
- Medical care
- Compensation
Your employer must register you.
You can still claim for old injuries.
Unfair dismissal is illegal
- You cannot be fired without a good reason, and without fair procedure. For disciplinary issues, this should include verbal and written warnings. In most cases, you must be given notice.
- You must be paid what you are owed, including for outstanding leave days and wages, and you must be given a certificate of service.
If this does not happen, it is unfair dismissal.
If you live where you work
If you live in your employer’s home, you have the right to:
- Adequate living standards, including a locked door, windows, water and electricity
- A space where you can store and cook food
- Visitors during your off-hours
- Private space, private communications, and no searching of your possessions
- Freedom to leave the property when you are not working
- Freedom to practice your own religion
- Privacy
- Keep your ID and documents
Know your rights
The law protects you, even if your employer says otherwise.
Knowledge is power.
Respect workers. Protect rights.
Dignity in every home.
