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Sunday Independent reports that the government might have to fork out an extra R10-billion if the National Economic Development and Labour Council (Nedlac) decides that temporary workers employed under the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) should be paid the national minimum wage (NMW).
Last week social partners in Nedlac (with the exception of Cosatu) signed a NMW agreement to be implemented by at least May 2018. A seven-member commission has been tasked to decide, among other things, whether or not EPWP participants should be excluded from the NMW. Labour Minister Mildred Oliphant said in principle there was agreement that EPWP be excluded, but organised labour wants a reconsideration of the matter. EPWP, launched in 2004, is a nationwide programme covering all government and state-owned enterprises aimed at poverty and income relief through temporary jobs. EPWP workers are paid a daily stipend of only R83. Some unions, Samwu in particular, have complained about EPWP participants substituting for the regular labour force and also being paid less than the minimum wage in municipalities.
- Read this report by Mayibongwe Maqhina in full at Business Report
Get other news reports at the SA Labour News home page