Government, unions engage on Community Work Programme
Budget cuts jeopardise payment of Community Work Programme participants in KZN

Several high-profile dignitaries recently convened to address the pressing issue of significant budget cuts to the Community Work Programme (CWP).
The cuts have jeopardised the payment of participants and led to potential unauthorised expenditure by the Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta).
Cogta Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa and Deputy Minister Prince Zolile Burns-Ncamashe held the meeting last Friday with the leadership of the Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu), led by Zingiswa Losi; and the South African Municipal Workers’ Union (Samwu), led by Nelson Mokgotho.
Hlabisa expressed his appreciation for the constructive engagement with the unions, emphasising the department’s commitment to finding solutions.
He said the meeting intended to share solutions proposed to Treasury with organised labour, all of which were done with the approval of the minister of finance.
Hlabisa said formal correspondence on the outcome would be made once written confirmation was received from Treasury that proposed solutions had been accepted.
Burns-Ncamashe echoed Hlabisa’s sentiments by thanking the unions for their willingness to engage on such a sensitive matter.
The deputy minister further stated this decision was not taken lightly and that the department remains committed to exploring all possibilities that could avert the situation.
He called on leaders to continue working with Cogta to ensure solutions that uphold the dignity of affected participants while aligning with governance requirements.
Cosatu President Losi and Samwu President Mokgotho expressed appreciation for the opportunity to engage with Cogta and reaffirmed their commitment to working with the department.
Don’t have the ZO app? Download it to your Android or Apple device here:
HAVE YOUR SAY
Like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter.
For news straight to your phone invite us:
WhatsApp – 060 784 2695
Instagram – zululand_observer