The North West Provincial Government has endorsed a partnership with the International Labour Organisation (ILO) to assist the Provincial Department of Public Works, Road and Transport to up-scale employment opportunities in infrastructure works. This is as per resolution of the bi-weekly Executive Council held in Mahikeng on Wednesday.
In terms of the partnership, the United Nations Specialised Agency mandated to promote human rights, social justice, decent work and protection of workers rights would over a 5 year project duration provide technical support on employment creation to the provincial department.
The agency will also support implementation capacity training through advocacy, systems and tools and influence labour intensity through technology and materials.
“Though we had exceeded our target of creating 53 543 jobs through the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) by creating 60 821 job opportunities through the 1 815 projects that were implemented during the 2012/13 financial year, our concern is that the social sector with its smaller budget of R1 billion created more EPWP projects and work opportunities than the infrastructure sector which had a R6 billion budget allocation,” said Premier Thandi Modise in welcoming the ILO intervention support.
Premier Modise said that the deployment of two ILO technical advisors will improve and enhance the capacity to plan and implement infrastructure projects in line with norms and standards expected using labour intensive methods for all EPWP infrastructure projects in the province.
“Our resolve to intensify efforts to fight unemployment, inequality and poverty has to be matched with an accelerated pace of delivery across provincial departments and municipalities,” added Modise.
Enquries:
Lesiba Moses Kgwele, spokesperson
Tel : 018 388 3705
Cell : 083 629 1987
Fax : 018 388 3157
E-mail : LKgwele@gmail.com
