PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - A decision by the Bitou mayoral committee around the Extended Public Works Programme (EPWP) has created 100 additional opportunities in an effort to mitigate the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the local community.

This is according to municipal spokesperson Andile Namntu, who said a special council meeting was held on 5 August to discuss the programme, especially the intake of workers for the 2020/21 financial year. "The fact that the pandemic has led to the loss of jobs on a very large scale, means that the programme has to be used to absorb more people than in the previous years," Namntu said.

However, the increase in numbers impacts on the budget, which had not increased significantly to accommodate the spike.

It was for this reason, Namntu said, that the committee approved a decrease in the daily rate earned by EPWP workers, from R180 to R150, for the duration of the Covid-19 pandemic as this would allow them to open more than 100 additional EPWP opportunities. 

"It was agreed that the programme should run for a full 12-month period to avoid logistical challenges and to deal with the effects of Covid -19. This will also allow for smooth transition at the end of the term. The intake for 2020/21 is expected to commence on 1 September 2020."

The pandemic would require officials to deploy EPWP workers in new fields, Namntu stated. "The issue of food security has become crucial during these tough times. Some of the workers should be deployed to the programme of establishing food gardens. Other opportunities linked to Covid-19 include deploying EPWP to Covid-19 compliance officers at schools and businesses."

According to Namntu, EPWP workers who have previously worked on the programme may be retained, but would likely be rotated among departments to ensure they acquire a wide variety of skills.

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