The Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) should not just create employment opportunities, but should create sustainable jobs especially in the rural communities. Members of the Select Committee on Public Services told the Chief Director of the Department of Public Works, Mr Stanley Henderson in Parliament this week that this would help to slow down the urban drift in South Africa.
The department appeared before the committee to give an update on the implementation of the Expanded Public Works Programme in each province. Committee members complained about job losses in the public sector. “Use the EPWP optimally to create sustainable jobs, especially in the rural communities to stop the exodus of rural people to urban centres,” said Committee Chairperson Mr Patric Sibande.
The committee told the department that if the EPWP failed to create jobs in the rural communities, it would have failed to meet its objective. Members said the department should stop counting employment that lasted a few months as jobs that had been created. “You can’t fight poverty like that, poverty alleviation requires sustainable jobs.”
Asked about the role of Further Education and Training Colleges in the EPWP, Mr Henderson said the department had strong links with Further Education and Training Colleges and sector education and training authorities for training purposes. He said his department did not have enough budget for coordination of the programme. It had to access money from other departments to help create jobs.
Members of the Committee were unhappy that the update gave the national picture but failed to show progress in each province. “We are National Council of Provinces, in future please give us an update that will reflect progress in each province,” said Mr Sibande.
Source: Parliament of South Africa
