“We’re Not Afraid”: Tensions Rise With Bosses Over R1,9k Salaries

• Worker representatives confronted company bosses during a heated meeting about employees earning only R1,900 per month
• The confrontation escalated when representatives told employers they weren't scared of them and demanded better pay
• Social media users debated whether the low salary was acceptable, with some saying it's better than nothing while others called it a crime in 2025

A heated confrontation between worker representatives and company bosses over extremely low salaries sparked intense debate on social media. The viral video, shared on 18 September 2025, captured a tense meeting where employees earning only R1,900 per month challenged their employers through union representatives.

The footage showed both sides becoming increasingly agitated as worker representatives accused the company of not paying employees enough money to survive. The situation escalated quickly when representatives made it clear they weren't intimidated by management and demanded fair wages for the workers they represented.

During the confrontation, one representative shouted that the company was treating workers like slaves and questioned how employers could claim to follow religious principles while paying such low wages. The meeting became so heated that someone tried to stop the person recording, but the representatives stood their ground and refused to be silenced.

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The worker representatives didn't back down when faced with pressure from management. They made it clear that employees deserved better treatment and fair compensation for their labour. The heated exchange highlighted the growing tensions between workers and employers over wage disputes in South Africa.

The confrontation showed how desperate some employees have become about their financial situations, leading to bold actions through their representatives who were willing to speak truth to power about unfair working conditions.

SA debates the R1,900 monthly salary

@chefmuks argued:

"1900 is better than nothing. And workers are not forced to work, they have an option to work or not."

@lefuchelane disagreed:

"R1900 per month this is unfair 2025"

@ralphchiphala challenged:

"Why can't you open your company and pay them a good salary?"

@boledywalepirates calculated:

"General worker per hour is R28.75 so per day supposed to be R252.00 then per month is R5250. They must pay them normal according to constitutional law."

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@aaronskitchen expressed shock:

"R1900 a month This is a crime, how can people live on that salary?"

@mbali questioned:

"How did all workers agree to receive such salary?"

@daltonjessie wondered:

"R1900 is crazy though. Why did they take the job?"

South African minimum wage laws

According to the South African government, the National Minimum Wage was adjusted to R28,79 per hour from 1 March 2025. This represents a 4.2% increase from the previous rate of R27,58 per hour. The minimum wage law applies to all workers and employers except members of defence forces and intelligence agencies.

Based on these official rates, a full-time worker should earn approximately R5,040 per month for a standard 44-hour work week. The R1,900 salary mentioned in the video falls significantly below the legal minimum wage requirements, making it a violation of South African labour law.

The content creator @advo5881 who describes himself as a Pan Africanist and Zimbabwean freedom fighter, regularly shares content about African countries and South African issues. His viral video opened important conversations about workers' rights and fair compensation in the country.

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View the TikTok clip below:

Other salary debates in SA

• Briefly News recently reported on a pharmacist's payslip that sparked heated discussions about income and tax deductions, but the surprising amount left many questioning their career choices.
• A man's shock at seeing a weekly payslip of R1,400 became a viral debate, but whether this amount was considered normal or criminal divided South Africans completely.
• A young petrol attendant shared his monthly salary online and the amount he revealed had people reflecting on their own financial situations in unexpected ways.

Source: Briefly News