Dean Macpherson Calls for Reform of Expanded Public Works Programme Amid Protests

“The EPWP was always intended to be a stepping stone towards permanent employment,” Macpherson said.

Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Dean Macpherson is advocating for urgent reform of the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) to transition it from a temporary employment solution to a pathway for permanent jobs. His call comes in response to ongoing protests by former EPWP employees in eThekwini, KwaZulu-Natal, who have highlighted issues with the program's sustainability and impact.

Macpherson has condemned the violence and damage to public property resulting from the protests, noting that such disruptions have impeded essential municipal services, including waste removal, which poses health risks. He emphasized that while the EPWP was initially designed to provide short-term work experience and training to help individuals secure permanent employment, the high unemployment rate has led to prolonged dependency on the program.

"The EPWP was always intended to be a stepping stone towards permanent employment," Macpherson said. "Given the persistently high unemployment rate, many individuals have found themselves reliant on the program for extended periods."

In a recent budget speech, Macpherson underscored the need to re-imagine the EPWP to focus on skills outcomes and provide more substantial opportunities for career advancement. "It is crucial that we transform the EPWP into a program that helps South Africans climb the opportunity ladder rather than keeping them in a cycle of temporary work," he stated.

The EPWP, launched on April 1, 2004, aims to alleviate poverty through labor-intensive projects in infrastructure, social, environment and culture, and non-state sectors. It involves work on initiatives such as the Community Work Programme, Early Childhood Development Programmes, Home Community-Based Care Programmes, Extra School Support Programmes, Working on Fire, Working for Water, and road maintenance projects. To date, the program has created over 13 million work opportunities across all levels of government.

Macpherson expressed a commitment to collaborating with all stakeholders to find improved outcomes for EPWP participants nationwide. The forthcoming reforms aim to address the program's limitations and enhance its effectiveness in fostering long-term employment opportunities.