By Amy Musgrave
After a backlash from unions and civil society, the government has decided to extend the contracts of older participants in the Community Work Programme.
Last month, Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa announced that the contracts of the CWP participants aged 55 and up would be terminated at the end of this month.
Hlabisa said his department had no choice but to terminate the contracts in light of a R400 million budget cut, which has impacted its ability to sustain the programme.
The decision to extend the contracts follows a meeting between Hlabisa and Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana.
Hlabsa’s department said in a statement that the meeting was essential in addressing the critical challenge of the budget cuts.
“It is imperative that we take decisive action to protect the integrity of the programme and ensure that participants receive the support they deserve”, Hlabisa said on Friday.
The meeting resolved to extend the contracts until the end of March 2025, while exploring viable and sustainable solutions.
Hlabisa reiterated the government’s commitment to safeguarding the CWP gains as it was one of the transformative public employment programmes that responded directly to social security by providing temporary employment safety nets.
It was founded on the principle of graduating participants from poverty to sustenance through skilling and community development.
“We are currently engaged in constructive consultations and will provide regular updates as the department works closely with all relevant stakeholders,” the minister said.
His aim was to address the issue “thoughtfully, ensuring a careful balance between financial responsibility and social accountability”.
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