UIF and fair-pay guidance

UIF in brief

SARS states that UIF contributions are generally 1% of remuneration from the employee and 1% from the employer, with the employer responsible for paying the total contribution. Contributions are calculated up to the current monthly earnings ceiling published by SARS.

• SARS lists R17,712 per month as the current earnings ceiling on its UIF guidance page.
• An employee employed by one employer for less than 24 hours in a month is generally excluded from UIF contributions. Check the official guidance for exceptions and how it applies to the particular arrangement.
• The employer is responsible for registration, declarations and paying contributions through the applicable official channel. Helpers Connect does not submit these or handle wages.

Minimum pay and short days

As of 1 March 2026, the Department of Employment and Labour's National Minimum Wage flyer states a minimum of R30.23 for each ordinary hour worked, including domestic workers. It also says that a worker who works less than four hours on any day must be paid for four hours that day.

• The minimum wage is a floor; agree any higher rate directly and record it in writing.
• The Department's flyer notes that tips, bonuses, gifts, board, lodging and certain allowances do not count toward the minimum wage calculation.
• Rates and rules can change. Follow the latest Department publication and seek advice for unusual work arrangements.

A sensible next step

Agree the role, schedule, pay and payday in writing. Keep a record of hours, payments and UIF declarations. Use the official uFiling service or the registration route specified by the authorities for your employer situation.

What the Helpers Connect calculator does

The wage calculator estimates pay and UIF from the schedule and current pay rules configured in the app. It is an estimate to support a conversation; it does not determine legal compliance, register an employer, file declarations, process payroll or pay a helper.