Hlabisa to engage unions over CWP participants aged 55 and older

File image: Community Work Programme (CWP) workers.

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Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) Minister, Velenkosini Hlabisa says he will meet with labour unions this week to explore solutions to continue supporting Community Work Programme (CWP) participants aged 55 and older, despite budgetary constraints.

This follows his decision to extend the contracts for these participants until the end of March.

In August, Hlabisa announced that his department would end the participation of CWP workers aged of 55 and older by the end of this month due to budget cuts.

He says his department along with the relevant stakeholders will be exploring viable and sustainable solutions to assist these participants.

Hlabisa says, “This Friday, I’m meeting Cosatu and Samwu so that in the next coming two months, we must find an amicable solution. For instance, there are participants who are 60 years and above already receiving the old age grant. We must consider, what if we relieve those people? They are amounting 33 000 and ensure that those who have not yet received the grant who are turning 60, we assist them quickly to register and qualify.”