My employer has not given us a proper increase in 2 years.
Last year when Covid hit we didnt get anything (Covid hit in March, increase due in April) - we understood this and my employer said he will review the situation in a few months and revert back to us. When we asked a few months later it was denied even though he was doing good financially in his practice. This year we got offered 3.5% increase, when disputed he raised it to 4.25, with no discussion further. Basically just a take it or leave it approach. His practice is doing very good financially, but apparently he cannot afford the 7.8% we asked (as to make up for last year + this year).
At the same time of him not being able to afford 7.8% (which equals to R1000 on my salary) he bought his son a R380k bakkie (and declared it as a work bakkie + employed his son at R4500p/m as a courier). The son uses the bakkie as personal use and he does not do any delivery/courier of any items. His daughter was also employed at R4500p/m, but also does not work in the practice.
So in the month of 'not being able to afford our increases' he employed his children at R4500 p/m each in the practice, but they do not work here.
I would like to get some legal advise regarding this.
I am the only breadwinner in my family as my husband lost his job due to covid and this feels like unfair labour practice and nepotism to me.
Unfortunately an increase in salary is not a given right and certainly the percentage given is at the sole discretion of the employer unless there is a sectoral determination or collective agreement that covers your industry and requires a basic minimum increase.
Likewise if an individual wishes to employ his own family that is not against the law and is not relevant when it comes to increases in salary.
You are more than welcome to refer the matter as an unfair labour practice unfortunately I doubt it will succeed.