Working on election day? What employers are being asked to do
PRETORIA — South Africans rostered to work on Wednesday, 4 November, should arrange time with their employers to reach the voting station where they are registered. Employment and Labour Minister Nomakhosazana Meth has asked businesses that will remain open during the municipal elections to give eligible employees enough time to cast their ballots. Polls open at 7am and close at 9pm.
President Cyril Ramaphosa declared election day a nationwide public holiday and urged employers to make provision for staff to vote. For someone whose shift starts before the polls open or ends close to 9pm, the location of the voting station matters. Municipal voters must cast their ballots at their registered station, which may be some distance from work. The labour department has encouraged employees to discuss arrangements with their managers in advance.
What the public holiday means for pay
Section 18 of the Basic Conditions of Employment Act provides that work on a public holiday is by agreement. For employees covered by the provision, if Wednesday is an ordinary working day and they take the holiday, they are entitled to the wage they would normally have received. If they work that day, they must receive at least double their ordinary daily wage.
Workers planning around a shift can check their voting station and ward through the Electoral Commission before setting out. Those still waiting to collect a completed identity document, or who need a temporary identity certificate to vote, can visit a Home Affairs office on Wednesday. The department says its offices will operate from 7am to 9pm on election day, the same hours as voting stations.
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