Pretoria, Monday, 31 January 2000
The Department of Public Works, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the International Labour Organization (ILO) today signed a Project Document releasing funding of US $319 350 (R1, 9 million) from the UNDP to help facilitate the transformation of the construction industry in South Africa.
This represents the second allocation of the total US $ 657 300 (R3, 2 million) committed by the UNDP originally in 1998 and ushers in an implementation phase following a process of review and refinement.
The objectives and envisaged outputs presented in the original preparatory assistance project document have been customized to advance the transformational and developmental agenda of the Department.
According to the Ms Stella Sigcau, Minister of Public Works: "This will undoubtedly make an invaluable contribution to the Department's development agenda which is geared towards transformation, empowerment, job creation, human resource development and economic growth.
" The realigned framework provides a sound basis for the evaluation of progress and a platform for the mobilization of future resources", concludes Minister Sigcau. According to the UNDP, the integration and use of labour-based methods is a critical contribution to the government of South Africa's objectives of reducing poverty and transforming the construction sector in the country.
The ILO has reconfirmed its commitment to the creation of employment and income opportunities with fair working conditions for women and men. With the efficient application of labour-based methods in the Construction Sector in South Africa, an opportunity has been created to contribute to the provision of employment opportunities within the country.
Work already accomplished under the Preparatory Assistance phase has produced policy advice and strategies for the more efficient delivery of rural infrastructure and the use of the local resources, particularly through the Community Based Public Works Programme.
"It is anticipated that the new phase of the project will consolidate the gains already made, and continue to support the expansion of knowledge and experience in the use of labour-based methods, based on national and international experience", says the ILO.
Jointly issued by the Ministry of Public Works, UNDP and the ILO.
For further information call:
LINDELWA MABUNTANA, telephone 012-337 2859
Media Enquiries: LUCKY MOCHALIBANE, telephone 012-337 2057 fax 323 2856, cell: 082 8999 775