Deliberations among the social partners on the introduction of a national minimum wage are nearing conclusion, South African Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Saturday.

Most stakeholders are supportive of the proposed wage of 20 rand (about 1.4 US dollars) per hour, or 3,500 rand (about 250 dollars) a month), he said in his 2016 Christmas Message.

Last month, the South African National Economic Development and Labour Council proposed a national minimum wage of 3,500 rand per month.

The introduction of a national minimum wage will go a long way in reducing wage inequality and poverty, said Ramaphosa.

"It is a matter of grave concern to us that more than 50 percent of our employed South Africans earn below R20 per hour," he said.

All social partners agreed that R20 per hour is not a living wage, according to Ramaphosa.

Social partners consider it as a starting point to begin the process of reducing wage inequality, one of the pressing issues facing the country, he said.

Currently around 47 percent of South Africans who do have work earn a wage below 3,500 rand a month.

"We are grateful for the efforts made by leaders of labour, business and communities to develop a common approach to these critical issues facing our country," Ramaphosa added.

It is believed that introducing a national minimum wage is part of the efforts taken by the government to attract more investment.  

source: Xinhua