Speaker, in today's Sowetan it was reported that over 500 Expanded Public Works Programme, EPWP, workers from Limpopo have downed tools. They accuse the Department of Public Works of unfair labour practices, because for two years the department has given them food at the end of each month instead of money. It is beyond our level of comprehension how our people are expected to cater for other basic needs under these circumstances.
While the UDM understands the food-for-work policy of the department, which allows it to reward EPWP workers with food and not with money in some projects, we believe that this policy needs to be reviewed urgently, as it deprives our people of the freedom to choose and prioritise their consumption and decisions. In fact, this policy is no different from the method used by farmers under the apartheid regime, where farmworkers were given food parcels and alcohol for a month's work. Every Expanded Public Works Programme worker must be given a stipend for a month's salary. Thank you.