Fair Pay Act: A Simple Guide for South African Teens

What Is the Fair Pay Act?

The Fair Pay Act is a new private member’s bill that aims to make hiring and pay practices fairer for everyone. It was drafted by Build One South Africa (BOSA) together with the group PayMeFairly and has just been released for public comment. The goal is to stop employers from using a job applicant’s past salary to decide what they should earn now.

Why It Matters

The Problem with Salary History

Many companies ask for your previous payslip or salary history when you apply for a job. If you were underpaid before—because of discrimination, lack of experience, or other unfair reasons—that low number can follow you forever. Employers then base your new offer on that old figure, keeping you stuck in a cycle of low pay.

How It Helps Young Workers

For teens and recent graduates entering the workforce, the bill means:

• Your pay will be based on your skills, qualifications, and the work you’ll do—not on what you earned before.
• Job ads will show a salary range, so you know what to expect before you even apply.
• You’ll be able to talk openly about pay with coworkers without fear of retaliation.

Three Key Changes in the Bill

No More Salary‑History Checks

Employers will be prohibited from asking for or using your previous payslips when deciding your salary.

Salary Ranges in Job Ads

Every job posting must include a clear minimum and maximum salary. This transparency prevents lowball offers and gives all applicants the same starting information.

Equal Pay for Equal Work

The bill reinforces that men and women, people of different races, ages, or backgrounds must receive the same pay when they perform the same job.

How You Can Get Involved

Send Your Comments

Email your thoughts to [email protected] or fill out the online form at www.fairpaybill.co.za. Your feedback will help shape the final law.

Sign the Petition

Add your name to the national petition supporting the bill at fairpaybill.co.za/petition.html. The petition will be part of BOSA’s formal submission to Parliament.

Talk to Your MP

Contact your local member of parliament and ask them to back the Fair Pay Act. A quick call, email, or visit can make a big difference.

What Happens Next?

After the 30‑day public comment period ends, the bill will be reviewed by the Portfolio Committee on Employment and Labor. If they approve it, it will go to a vote in the National Assembly. If passed, the changes will become law and start transforming how South African companies hire and pay their workers.

Conclusion

The Fair Pay Act offers a real chance to break the cycle of unfair pay that holds back many young South Africans. By banning salary‑history questions, demanding transparent salary ranges, and reinforcing equal pay, the bill aims to create a job market where your worth is judged by what you can do, not by what you were paid before. Now is the time to speak up—share your opinion, sign the petition, and tell your representatives you support fair pay for all.