Which deductions are allowed from a domestic/farm workers’ wage

An employer may not make any deduction from a domestic/farm worker’s pay except -

• a deduction, calculated on the basis of the domestic/farm worker’s wage, proportionate to the length of any period that the domestic/farm worker is absent from work, other than an absence on paid leave or at the instance of the employer;
• deduction of not more than 10% of the wage for a room or other accommodation supplied to the domestic/farm worker by the employer if the accommodation –
  • is weatherproof and generally kept in good condition;
  • has at least one window and door, which can be locked;
  • as a toilet and bath or shower, if the domestic/farm worker does not have access to any other bathroom.
• with the written consent of the domestic/farm worker, a deduction of any amount which the employer has paid or has undertaken to pay –
  • to any holiday, sick, medical, insurance, savings, provident or pension fund of which the domestic/farm worker is a member,
  • to any registered trade union in respect of subscriptions;
  • to any banking institution, building society, insurance business, registered financing institution or local authority in respect of a payment on a loan granted to the domestic/farm worker to acquire a dwelling;
  • to any person or organisation in respect of the rent of a dwelling or accommodation occupied by the domestic/farm worker;
• a deduction, not exceeding one-tenth of the wage due to the domestic/farm worker on the pay-day concerned, towards the repayment of any amount loaned or advanced to the domestic/farm worker by the employer; or
• a deduction of any amount which an employer is required to make by law or in terms of a court order or arbitration award.