UAT rejects the erosion of Community Work Programme: A betrayal of vulnerable workers
United Africans Transformation (UAT) strongly condemns the decision by the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) to terminate the contracts of Community Work Programme (CWP) participants aged 55 and older, effective 31 January 2025.This decision unfairly targets older workers who have dedicated themselves to serving their communities and relied on this program as a crucial source of income. Many of these workers, who are below the pensionable age of 60, will now face financial hardship with no alternative support, plunging them and their families into uncertainty.
The CWP was established as a vital safety net for unemployed South Africans and as a means to contribute to the development of public assets and services in underserved communities. Its abrupt termination, particularly for workers aged 55 and older, undermines these objectives and will have devastating consequences for thousands of households. In Parliament on the 18 September, UAT President and Member of Parliament Wonder Mahlatsi raised critical questions to the Deputy Minister of Finance regarding Treasury’s plans for the future of this program. He demanded a clear and transparent response about how the government intends to address the livelihoods of workers who currently depend on this programs , especially in the context of rising unemployment and poverty. Disappointingly, the Deputy Minister failed to provide clear and transparent answers.
UAT calls for the immediate removal of the unjust age cut-off and urges the continuation of the Community Work Programme as an essential relief for vulnerable South Africans. Ending this program without a proper plan not only disregards the contributions of these workers but also diminishes their dignity and security. We stand in solidarity with all affected workers and their families and demand that the government reconsider this decision. It is imperative to commit to solutions that protect livelihoods and provide support for struggling communities. Issued by United Africans Transformation (UAT)