Hiring a domestic worker in Durban: contract, UIF and the 2026 minimum wage
6 min read · General information, not legal advice
Quick answer
If you employ a domestic worker in Durban or anywhere in South Africa, you need to give them written particulars of employment. From 1 March 2026 you must pay at least R30.23 an hour, register them for UIF if they work more than 24 hours a month, and register with the Compensation Fund (COIDA).
The 2026 minimum wage
From 1 March 2026 the national minimum wage, which includes domestic workers, is R30.23 per hour. For a 45-hour week, that's about R1 360.35 a week or roughly R5 894 a month. Tips and allowances don't count towards it.
The written contract
Sectoral Determination 7 and the Basic Conditions of Employment Act require written particulars: duties, hours, pay, leave, notice and any accommodation. A signed domestic worker contract covers this and avoids arguments later.
UIF
Register your worker for UIF if they work more than 24 hours a month. You deduct 1% of their wage and add 1% yourself, and pay it to the Unemployment Insurance Fund every month.
COIDA
Domestic workers are covered by the Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act. Register with the Compensation Fund so your worker is covered if they're injured at work.
Leave and notice
Domestic workers get 21 consecutive days' annual leave (or 1 day for every 17 worked), sick leave, family responsibility leave and maternity leave. Notice is 1 week in the first 6 months and 4 weeks after that.
Disputes
Dismissal disputes go to the CCMA, which has an office in Durban. A written contract, payslips and records of warnings are your best evidence.
More for Durban: contracts and local help in Durban.
Free to fill in
Domestic Worker Employment Contract
Fill it in online free, preview it as you go, then download Word + PDF from R199.
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum wage for a domestic worker in 2026?
R30.23 per hour from 1 March 2026.
Do I need a contract for a part-time domestic worker?
Yes. The written particulars apply to part-time workers too, and UIF applies once they work more than 24 hours a month.
Can I deduct accommodation from the wage?
Only within the limits of Sectoral Determination 7 and only if agreed in writing, and the room must meet the standards it sets.
Is a gardener or casual cleaner an employee?
If they work regularly under your direction, usually yes. For truly once-off jobs, an independent contractor agreement fits better.
