THE ROLE OF THE EXPANDED PUBLIC WORKS

Date
2011-05-30
Authors
Mustaffa, Zuleiga
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Abstract
In response to growing and persistent unemployment and poverty problems, the South African government has instituted a range of short to long term interventions, such as the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP). The purpose of the research was to determine the role of the EPWP in improving the quality of life of workers. This was investigated by focusing on how the wage income received was utilized within the household, whether the skills imparted were relevant and are currently being utilized, as well as whether participation in the programme has improved workers’ ability to earn an income. The approach adopted in this study was primarily qualitative, combined with some quantitative techniques. The case study design was used to yield in-depth results. For the above research the unit of analysis was the Klipspruit River and Wetlands Clean-Up Project, implemented in Soweto. The findings suggest that although workers did derive benefits during participation in the project, most of the income received was utilized for consumption spending. All respondents interviewed are currently unemployed and do not utilize the skills they acquired. This suggests that the EPWP assumption that through training, provision of skills, information and work experience, workers will be in a better position to gain other employment, was unfounded in this particular case study. It is recommended that particular actions in terms of sustained employment, higher incomes and skills reforms should be undertaken to improve the performance and impact of the EPWP
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MM - P&DM
Keywords
Expanded Public Works Programme, Public work programmes, South Africa
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