Temporary workers, NPOs express their anger over budget cuts
'We are the ones putting in the hours to assist the most vulnerable people in the community, not the government' – NPO.
Both non-profit organisations (NPO) and temporary workers expressed their anger outside the offices of the Department of Social Development in the Krugersdorp CBD after they were informed that there would be a budget reprioritising for the 2023/ 2024 financial year.
The budget reprioritising means that the salaries of temporary workers, specifically part of the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) would be reduced and funding of non-profit organisations cut.
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On Friday, April 14, many came together to express their anger regarding this decision.
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“We do not earn enough money already. It does not make sense for them to cut the majority of salaries when we have little,” said Neo Booysens, who works for Ikageng Community home-based Care.
Workers argued that the reduction of funding is not only going to be an inconvenience to them or an NPO but also to the very people they serve considering most of the NPOs cater to the less vulnerable people in the community from people with disabilities to victims of gender-based violence and the homeless.
Daniel Jack, one of the organisers of the protest expressed that the strike goes beyond just their livelihoods.
“If they reduce funding, it will only be a matter of time before we all lose our jobs, and if we lose our jobs, who is going to help those in need? We are the ones putting in the hours to assist the most vulnerable people in the community, not the government,” Jack said.
The protest that took place is just part of the broader issue regarding the under-funding of NPOs and Jack added they intend to spark national outcry.
“This affects all at a regional and national level.”
