Note to Editors: Find attached soundbites in English and Sesotho by DA North West Spokesperson on Public Works and Roads, Freddy Sonakile.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in North West will write to the Chairperson of the Public Works and Roads Portfolio Committee in the Provincial Legislature, Kim Medupe, requesting her to summon the Department to respond to the concerns raised by Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) workers, operating as cooperatives, during a silent protest outside the premises of the Legislature yesterday.
After several attempts to raise issues of non-payment, no service level agreements and no exit strategies with the Department (see letters here and here), the workers stood outside with placards during the State of the Province Address (SOPA) in the hope that their plight will finally be acknowledged.
The silent protestors were dispersed with teargas and left as empty handed as they came. Sadly, the Premier failed to share any plans of action on the skilling of existing EPWP workers in his SOPA, which adds insult to their injury.
The DA has in the past called for an overhaul of the EPWP project to empower workers with skills that will improve their chances of gaining employment when they exit the programme, but the SOPA simply stated the obvious and introduced further EPWP projects that will have no lasting impact.
We have in the past raised concerns on the treatment and payment of EPWP workers, as well as the absence of an effective plan of action to address workers’ concerns, but clearly the situation remains unchanged.
Our written questions (attached) submitted in August 2020 was simply disregarded by the MEC.
The evident lack of communication between the Department and the workers needs to be seriously addressed and the DA will continue to fight for the efficient implementation of the EPW Programme in North West.
We have however noted that Chairperson Medupe addressed them and undertook to look into the matter, but we will be taking this fight on their behalf and ensure that this does not become another broken promise.
In the Western Cape where the DA governs, EPWP participants’ chances of finding permanent jobs or starting their own businesses are expanded and enhanced, through providing world class skills and work experience programmes.