Public Works on wage boost for EPWP participants
1 Nov 2015
With effect from today, 1 November 2015, the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) will implement the wage increase in terms of clause 13 (2) of the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) Ministerial Determination. The prescribed minimum wage of EPWP participants has increased to R78.86 from R75.10 per day or per task performed.
The EPWP wage increase is determined by Ministerial Determination and adjusted annually and accordingly and in line with the current inflation rate.
When she made an announcement today, Acting EPWP Deputy Director -General (DDG) Ms Kelebogile Sethibelo urged all the implementers of the EPWP to timeously adjust the EPWP participants wage accordingly and comply with the requirements, “the bread and butter issues remain to be the major social challenge, therefore the EPWP mandate to alleviate poverty and unemployment remains steady in addressing the challenges of unemployment, inequality and unemployment within communities”.
“We also take the commitment to provide a safety net to millions of the poor and unemployed South Africans who depend solely on Public Employment Programmes for survival” he added.
“The EPWP remain one of the successful government initiatives aimed at reducing poverty and unemployment through the provision of training and work opportunities. “Through various skills and training that the participants receive from EPWP, they stand a better chance to manoeuvre into businesses or enter the formal employment sector” Ms Sethibelo concluded.
The EPWP is working together with business, civil society, and broader role players in the implementation of the EPWP towards achieving goals of the National Development Plan which aims to eliminate poverty and reduce inequality by 2030.
The objective of the EPWP Phase 3 is “To provide work opportunities and income support to poor and unemployed people through the labour-intensive delivery of public and community assets and services, thereby contributing to development.”
The EPWP Phase 3 is aimed to create a set target of 6 million work opportunities over a five year period (2014/15-2018/19).
Statement issued by Lesego Moretlwe, Directorate: EPWP PR & Communications, Department of Public Works, 1 November 2015
