The expanded public works programme and job creation in East London
- Authors: Makhosathini, Swazi Sydney
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: South Africa. Department of Public Works , Job creation -- South Africa -- East London , Public works -- South Africa -- East London
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/6444 , vital:21085
- Description: This study seeks to investigate the extent to which the Extended Public Works Programme (EPWP) creates jobs in East London. The researcher‘s interest in the topic was aroused after having noticed that there is cleanliness in Duncan village compared with the past. This cleanliness was as a result of the introduction of EPWP projects, where a number of people, both males and females were employed and job opportunities were created. The esearcher, as a development studies student, appreciates the intervention made by the EPWP in the area, therefore the researcher is interested to investigate the program better in order to determine the extent in which the EPWP creates jobs. The study was conducted in Duncan village, East London, in the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality (BCMM). The area was chosen because it is one of the most densely populated disadvantaged communities with a high rate of unemployment and poverty. The study focuses on 50 currently employed EPWP employees working in the Duncan village area. The researcher adopted a quantitative approach in order to explore and describe the extent in which EPWP projects create jobs in East London, in particular in the Duncan village area. Structured questionnaires are used to collect data from the EPWP employees. The participants‘ responses are collated in an excel spread sheet and analysed by using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Respondents‘ responses are analysed and discussed in terms of graphs and tables. The findings of this study reveal that there is a lack of skills development programs from projects operating in the area. This is shown by a percentage of 66% from the sampled respondents who indicate that they have acquired no skills since the inception of the project. The findings of the study also reveal that job opportunities are generated but are not adequate considering the population in the area. Income received is not enough for basic needs satisfaction as the largest percentage (82%) of them are still staying in shack dwellings and earning an income of less than R1000 per month. Based on the findings, it is recommended that the Public Works department in collaboration with all major stakeholders have to plan and organise workshops and training sessions for all EPWP employees together with their supervisors. The objective of the workshops will be to inform all employees about how the project works as well as its main objectives. This will enable employees to decide well in advance whether to take an offer or not. This will also minimise grievances from employees. Furthermore, there should be sound and effective programs in each EPWP project that address skills development. Outsourcing the skills development program could have positive consequences and employees should be motivated through certificates awarded after the project completion. There is also a need for learnership programmes as indicated by the findings because of the low levels of education and skills.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Makhosathini, Swazi Sydney
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: South Africa. Department of Public Works , Job creation -- South Africa -- East London , Public works -- South Africa -- East London
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/6444 , vital:21085
- Description: This study seeks to investigate the extent to which the Extended Public Works Programme (EPWP) creates jobs in East London. The researcher‘s interest in the topic was aroused after having noticed that there is cleanliness in Duncan village compared with the past. This cleanliness was as a result of the introduction of EPWP projects, where a number of people, both males and females were employed and job opportunities were created. The esearcher, as a development studies student, appreciates the intervention made by the EPWP in the area, therefore the researcher is interested to investigate the program better in order to determine the extent in which the EPWP creates jobs. The study was conducted in Duncan village, East London, in the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality (BCMM). The area was chosen because it is one of the most densely populated disadvantaged communities with a high rate of unemployment and poverty. The study focuses on 50 currently employed EPWP employees working in the Duncan village area. The researcher adopted a quantitative approach in order to explore and describe the extent in which EPWP projects create jobs in East London, in particular in the Duncan village area. Structured questionnaires are used to collect data from the EPWP employees. The participants‘ responses are collated in an excel spread sheet and analysed by using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Respondents‘ responses are analysed and discussed in terms of graphs and tables. The findings of this study reveal that there is a lack of skills development programs from projects operating in the area. This is shown by a percentage of 66% from the sampled respondents who indicate that they have acquired no skills since the inception of the project. The findings of the study also reveal that job opportunities are generated but are not adequate considering the population in the area. Income received is not enough for basic needs satisfaction as the largest percentage (82%) of them are still staying in shack dwellings and earning an income of less than R1000 per month. Based on the findings, it is recommended that the Public Works department in collaboration with all major stakeholders have to plan and organise workshops and training sessions for all EPWP employees together with their supervisors. The objective of the workshops will be to inform all employees about how the project works as well as its main objectives. This will enable employees to decide well in advance whether to take an offer or not. This will also minimise grievances from employees. Furthermore, there should be sound and effective programs in each EPWP project that address skills development. Outsourcing the skills development program could have positive consequences and employees should be motivated through certificates awarded after the project completion. There is also a need for learnership programmes as indicated by the findings because of the low levels of education and skills.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
Foreign direct investment in South Africa: the case of the East London industrial development zone
- Authors: Marawu, Sithembele
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Investments, Foreign -- South Africa -- East London , Job creation -- South Africa -- East London
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Soc Sc (Rural Development)
- Identifier: vital:11942 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/559 , Investments, Foreign -- South Africa -- East London , Job creation -- South Africa -- East London
- Description: Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) has been perceived by most developing countries, emerging economies and countries in transition as a major vehicle for development that would not only boost a host country’s economic development but also enhance its integration into the global economy. The common assumption is that presence of foreign companies in a host country, particularly a developing country, would lead to economic benefits; among them, transfer of technology, and skills and human capacity development. The establishment of special “development zones” and the roll-out of incentives to attract FDI are often predicated on the expectation by host countries that these benefits would be achieved. It is against this background that this study sought to find out the character of FDI in the East London Industrial Development Zone (ELIDZ), located in the Eastern Cape. The study focused on the institutional preconditions and incentives used by the ELIDZ to attract FDI into the zone, and on whether these had any bearing on labour and environmental standards as well as on local skills development. Empirical data for the study were collected using in-depth interview with senior management staff of both the ELIDZ as an organisation, and one of the foreign companies located in the zone (a “tenant” of ELIDZ). In addition, a mini survey was conducted with a random sample of employees of the selected ELIDZ company. Among the key findings of the study was that the ELIDZ had in place a range of incentives and preconditions for the attraction of FDI, and that there were concerted efforts on the part of ELIDZ management to compel companies operating in the zone to adhere to specific iv standards – especially on the environmental front. From the mini survey results, however, the study established that achievements on the labour front were mixed. While most of the responses indicated that ELIDZ was playing a positive role in terms of employment creation, a high number of responses (from surveyed employees in the selected ELIDZ company) pointed out that employment standards were in question. For example, 41% of respondents reported “unhappiness” with their conditions of employment, while 50% deplored the fact that they were not allowed to belong to unions. Furthermore, responses were nearly evenly split (53%/47%) between those who reported that their employment had resulted in the acquisition of new skills and those who reported that it had not. From these and other findings, the study concluded that ELIDZ was facing a “balancing act” by expecting foreign companies to create jobs, transfer technology and contribute to local skills development while at the same time adhering to strict environmental and labour standards. The study thus confirmed a major consensus in the FDI literature, while FDI could bring about important socio-economic achievements in a host country, foreign companies and host governments are not necessarily motivated by the same set of factors. Indeed, at least a small facet of the study’s findings seemed to confirm the well-documented anti-FDI sentiment that the faith placed in FDI by host governments (especially in developing countries) does not always have a sound basis.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Marawu, Sithembele
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Investments, Foreign -- South Africa -- East London , Job creation -- South Africa -- East London
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Soc Sc (Rural Development)
- Identifier: vital:11942 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/559 , Investments, Foreign -- South Africa -- East London , Job creation -- South Africa -- East London
- Description: Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) has been perceived by most developing countries, emerging economies and countries in transition as a major vehicle for development that would not only boost a host country’s economic development but also enhance its integration into the global economy. The common assumption is that presence of foreign companies in a host country, particularly a developing country, would lead to economic benefits; among them, transfer of technology, and skills and human capacity development. The establishment of special “development zones” and the roll-out of incentives to attract FDI are often predicated on the expectation by host countries that these benefits would be achieved. It is against this background that this study sought to find out the character of FDI in the East London Industrial Development Zone (ELIDZ), located in the Eastern Cape. The study focused on the institutional preconditions and incentives used by the ELIDZ to attract FDI into the zone, and on whether these had any bearing on labour and environmental standards as well as on local skills development. Empirical data for the study were collected using in-depth interview with senior management staff of both the ELIDZ as an organisation, and one of the foreign companies located in the zone (a “tenant” of ELIDZ). In addition, a mini survey was conducted with a random sample of employees of the selected ELIDZ company. Among the key findings of the study was that the ELIDZ had in place a range of incentives and preconditions for the attraction of FDI, and that there were concerted efforts on the part of ELIDZ management to compel companies operating in the zone to adhere to specific iv standards – especially on the environmental front. From the mini survey results, however, the study established that achievements on the labour front were mixed. While most of the responses indicated that ELIDZ was playing a positive role in terms of employment creation, a high number of responses (from surveyed employees in the selected ELIDZ company) pointed out that employment standards were in question. For example, 41% of respondents reported “unhappiness” with their conditions of employment, while 50% deplored the fact that they were not allowed to belong to unions. Furthermore, responses were nearly evenly split (53%/47%) between those who reported that their employment had resulted in the acquisition of new skills and those who reported that it had not. From these and other findings, the study concluded that ELIDZ was facing a “balancing act” by expecting foreign companies to create jobs, transfer technology and contribute to local skills development while at the same time adhering to strict environmental and labour standards. The study thus confirmed a major consensus in the FDI literature, while FDI could bring about important socio-economic achievements in a host country, foreign companies and host governments are not necessarily motivated by the same set of factors. Indeed, at least a small facet of the study’s findings seemed to confirm the well-documented anti-FDI sentiment that the faith placed in FDI by host governments (especially in developing countries) does not always have a sound basis.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
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