22 February 2005

The state's expanded public works programme (EPWP) will have generated more than 130 000 work opportunities for unemployed South Africans in its first year.

President Thabo Mbeki launched the programme in May 2004 with the aim of creating, through labour-intensive methods, at least one million job opportunities by 2010.

At least 75 000 work opportunities were created through the programme by September 2004, says Public Works Minister Stella Sigcau.

Addressing the media in Cape Town last week, Sigcau said the EPWP's implementation guidelines and training programmes were now in place.

"The programme will accelerate 300 000 work opportunities per annum by the end of its third year", the minister said.

"Our biggest challenge is to mobilise all public bodies to rise to the challenge to implement their infrastructure projects in accordance with the EPWP guidelines. If we can meet this challenge, then we will exceed this target."

Sigcau said her department would engage extensively with provincial and municipal authorities as well as community bodies in this regard.

President Thabo Mbeki indicated in his 2005 state of the nation address that the government would introduce additional social sector programmes to strengthen the EPWP, with the focus on early childhood development and home-based care.

"The rapid expansion of these social sector EPWP programmes is our second major challenge", Sigcau said.

Unemployed people taking part in these programmes will earn a stipend for a two-year period, during which time they will get both work experience and skills which will enable them to acquire formal qualifications for longer-term employment.

Sigcau said the Business Trust has pledged financial and human resources to help with the administration of the programme.

The government has also entered into an agreement with the International Labour Organisation to develop expertise in labour-intensive methods available to government bodies participating in the programme.

Source: BuaNews

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