EPWP Projects and Employment in George Municipality
Following the recent announcement of the appointment of an EPWP Oversight Committee for George Municipality, the committee has already begun its work and is addressing misinformation currently circulating regarding EPWP wage rates and the number of projects underway in Greater George. Several inaccurate claims have been made recently on public forums regarding both the number of EPWP projects and the wages paid to workers. The facts below clarify the situation.
George Municipality currently has 107 ongoing EPWP projects. These projects are funded through two main sources:
• Integrated Grant (IG) funded projects: 17 projects in total, consisting of 15 social sector projects and 2 environmental and culture projects
• Municipal and other funding sources: 90 projects funded through a combination of municipal funding, loans, PTNG funding, and IUDG grants
The EPWP programme is designed to create temporary employment opportunities while providing workers with valuable work experience and exposure to the job market. In terms of employment created through these projects:
• 635 jobs were created in the first quarter; and
• 359 jobs were created in the second quarter
In total, George Municipality’s ongoing EPWP projects have created 994 employment opportunities for the first and second quarters, against a target of 1400 work opportunities. This represents 71% of the target for the 2025/26 financial year.
Another area where misinformation has been spread relates to EPWP wage rates. The national EPWP minimum wage rate, as revised and gazetted by the Department of Employment and Labour, is R16.62 per hour, which equates to R132.92 for an eight-hour workday. George Municipality pays significantly above the national EPWP minimum wage with the current rate for unskilled EPWP workers at R22.50 per hour, which equates to R180 for an eight-hour workday.
The daily rates applied across EPWP projects in George are:
• Unskilled: R180 per eight-hour day
• Semi-skilled: R275 per eight-hour day
• Skilled: R375 per eight-hour day
These rates are applied according to the requirements of each project and the level of skill required.
“We have noted a concerning trend of misinformation being circulated, including in some instances by individuals who should have access to the correct information. This highlights the importance of ensuring that the facts are properly considered before claims are made,” said the Chairperson of the EPWP Oversight Committee, Cllr Raybin Figland. “The spread of misinformation undermines a programme that is creating real opportunities for residents. The facts are clear: George Municipality is running over a hundred EPWP projects, creating jobs for our residents, and paying wages that exceed the national EPWP minimum rate.”
According to Executive Mayor Ald Browen Johnson: “This is exactly why we established this committee: to strengthen transparency, ensure accountability, and make sure that accurate information reaches the public. I would also like to encourage our residents, especially our youth, to register on the EPWP database to access these opportunities.”
Residents who wish to register on the EPWP database can do so by:
• Visiting the EPWP Office at the corner of St Johns Street and Varing Road
• Completing the official EPWP database application form
• Submitting the required supporting documents listed on page 3 of the application form
• Alternatively, visiting the George Municipal website: https://www.george.gov.za/extended-public-works-programme-epwp/
George Municipality remains committed to transparency, accountability, and accurate public reporting. We will continue to correct misinformation when it arises and ensure that EPWP opportunities are administered fairly, responsibly, and in line with national policy and available funding.