At this rate, you are paying the equivalent of R0 per month.
Our calculations are based on 11 assumptions.
75% of domestic workers are the sole income providers for their families. Furthermore, domestic workers’ wages are often used to support, in addition to their nuclear families, parents, grandparents, siblings and other relatives.
Source: NIDS 2012
According to the May 2019 Household Affordability Index, the cost of feeding a family of four a basic nutritious diet per month is R2,474; it costs a family of five R3,123, 10; and a family of seven, R4,325. Source: May 2019 Household Affordability Index,
Transport costs are known to be high for domestic workers. The May 2019 Household Affordability Index estimates that in a month public transport adds up to R1092 if a person uses two taxis daily. This is based on transport prices in Pietermaritzburg; the costs in larger cities like Johannesburg and Cape Town are probably much higher.
Source: May 2019 Household Affordability Index
Domestic workers have different accommodation arrangements. Some domestic workers live in staff accommodation on employers’ properties on the rooftop or basements of apartment blocks, as an employment benefit, and many domestic workers rent accommodation in inner-city buildings in major cities or in backyard accommodation in townships and villages. It is important to note that by law, it is unlawful for employers to deduct more than 10% of a domestic worker’s wages for a room or other accommodation.
The Socio-Economic Rights Institute estimates that the cheapest accommodation available on the private housing market in Johannesburg costs R1000 per month in rent (excluding services) for a standard room without a bathroom or toilet.
Source: SERI report on the availability of accommodation in the inner-city of Johannesburg.(upcoming)
According the May 2019 Household Affordability Index, it costs a household of four, R529 for 350 kWh of prepaid electricity and R120 for water (a flat rate for unmetered households).
Source: May 2019 Household Affordability Index
Estimate a reasonable monthly health allowance (per person):
Setting up a health budget for a family is very important. In South Africa, according to StatsSA, as many as 45 million South Africans fall outside the medical aid net and are largely dependent on public healthcare. Public consultancies cost R39 per visit and for medicines. Healthcare costs could also be covered through health insurance which can cost at least R299 per month per person.
Sources:
http://www.southafrica.info/services/health/healthfaq.htm
http://www.medicalaid.co.za/MedicalAid/MedicalAidfortheLowIncomeEarner.aspx
Estimate a reasonable monthly allowance (per household):
Domestic and personal hygiene products are essential for safe food preparation and overall household health. These include products such as washing powder, dishwashing liquid, all-purpose cleaner, green bar soap, household bleach, toilet paper, toothpaste, body lotion and sanitary pads. According to the May 2019 Household Affordability Index, these products cost a family of four, R647 per month.
Estimate the cost per school aged child:
Expenses include stationery, uniform, textbooks, and even transportation costs.
We assume two individuals in the household are in school.
Education expenses include stationery, uniform, textbooks and transportation costs. A reasonable quality primary school, according to the May 2019 Household Affordability Index, charges R1000 per month for school fees per child. However, the median expenditure on education is between R100 and R200 per month per child. This amount excludes other education expenses.
Source: May 2019 Household Affordability Index
Estimate the monthly cost per person in the household:
Communication, including devices, airtime and data, is essential for staying in touch with family, friends, accessing news and for emergencies.
Estimate a monthly recreation cost per person in the household:
Recreation time is essential to human dignity and health.
Other expenses households spend on include clothing, household items and emergency expenses. Households also have other essential expenses not included in above for example the women interviewed for the Household Affordability Index prioritised certain non-negotiable expenses like burial insurance; repayment of debt and contributions into saving schemes like stokvels. Burial insurance and stokvels cost approximately R250 and R200 per month respectively.
