The National Department of Public Works provide the lead into the implementation of the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) Phase 3 towards achieving its target of creating 6 million work opportunities by 2019.
With R150 billion allocated to the implementation of the Expanded Public Works (EPWP) over the next 5 years (2014/15-2018/19) by all spheres of government, the National Department of Public Works (NDPW) hosted the two day EPWP summit at Saint George hotel, Gauteng on 27-28 November 2014.
The Summit was hosted under the theme “EPWP Phase 3: Towards increased community participation and developmental impact.”
During his address to the delegates, the Deputy Minister of Public Works, Jeremy Cronin emphasised the importance of the EPWP as a government poverty alleviation initiative since 2004 which must sought to enhance a better balance between provision of work opportunities and headcounts.
The Deputy Minister has also highlighted the pivotal role which the country plays in implementing the Public Employment Programme, s (PEPs) and their significant impact in alleviating poverty and unemployment as well as making a significant difference where the EPWP projects are implemented.
“South Africa has been a global pioneer in applying PEPs on scale to environmental services – Working for Water (WfW), Working on Fire, Working for Wetlands, People
& Parks.The WfW has cleared over 2 million hectares of alien invasive plants, and prevented loss of 71% of grazing. Also connected to Eco-Furniture Programme – using wood from alien invasives – 500,000 school desks for disadvantaged schools by end of 14/15 financial year, Working on Fire in 2007/2008 saved the forestry industry alone R3,7 billion on a budget of R123 million” the Deputy Minister concluded.
The Programme has achieved over 5 million work opportunities in the past 10 years, and the third phase of the EPWP Phase 3 which was launched by the State President Jacob Zuma is aimed to create 6 million work opportunities by 2019.
The EPWP Phase 3 introduced the universal principles in an effort to provide uniformity in its implementation as follows:
1. Selection of participants is based on a transparent and fair manner
2. Compliance with the EPWP minimum wage and employment conditions in accordance with the Ministerial Determination and Code of Good Practice
3. Services rendered and/or assets created have an impact on the target communities
4. Projects implemented meet the minimum labour-intensity set for each sector or sub-programme
Among the delegates who attended the EPWP summit were Premier of Gauteng, Honourable David Makhura, Mr K. Kouakou, Senior Lecturer at Wits University who was giving an insight about unemployment challenges, social cohesion and governance in South Africa.
Contact :
Lesego Moretlwe
Cell : 082 957 3677
Email : lesego.moretlwe@dpw.gov.za
