Zikalala: EPWP skills development, not permanent jobs
Public Works Minister Sihle Zikalala says the government is unable to offer workers under the Expanded Public Works Programme permanent positions.
He says the aim of the programme was to give people temporary employment opportunities.
eThekwini Municipality has had to terminate its Public Employment Programme due to financial constraints.
Some 3,000 beneficiaries were laid off this month as a result.
READ: eThekwini: Terminating Public Employment Programme ‘out of our control’
Speaking at the Presidential Imbizo in the North West this weekend, Zikalala says the programme is mainly for skills training.
"They get an opportunity to get [a] stipend, it's not a salary that is labour-regulated. They must be trained and be linked with key sectors of the economy. Thirdly, they must be assisted to establish their own businesses as an exit plan."
