Tough times ahead for South Africa’s domestic workers

Domestic workers rank among South Africa’s most vulnerable employees, and new data shows their conditions continue to deteriorate.

Employment opportunities in the sector keep shrinking, wages remain far below the national average, and debt weighs heavily on many workers.

Although employment saw a slight quarter-on-quarter increase, the long-term trend since COVID-19 shows a steady decline, leaving hundreds of thousands of women—many supporting entire households—under severe financial and emotional strain.

Domestic worker jobs on the decline

Stats SA’s latest Quarterly Labour Force Survey showed that domestic worker jobs increased by 21 000 between April and June 2025, pushing the total to 839 000.

Year-on-year, however, the sector lost 4 000 jobs (0.5%).

The long-term picture looks worse: since COVID-19, about 160 000 domestic worker jobs have disappeared, marking a 17% permanent decline.

SweepSouth CEO Lourandi Kriel places the losses even higher, noting that pre-pandemic employment of 1.2 million has dropped to just 800 000–850 000, meaning more than one in five domestic workers has lost all work.

Pay far below survival levels

To make matters even worse, the National Minimum Wage for domestic workers is R28.79 per hour (about R5 600 a month full-time). But most earn far less:

• SweepSouth’s 2024 survey: average pay of R3 349/month.
• Stats SA: median salary of R2 350/month – less than half the national median of R5 417.

This income gap leaves many unable to meet basic needs, let alone escape debt.