Policy Expectations and Programme Reality: The Poverty Reduction and Labour Market Impact of Two Public Works Programmes in South Africa

摘要: ESAU Working Paper 8 presents evidence from sample surveys, conducted among beneficiary households in Limpopo and KwaZulu Natal provinces, of the effectiveness public works programmes solving problems unemployment poverty South Africa. The are implemented under auspices provincial departments. paper contrasts programme, which provides full-time temporary employment majority cases for dependents who half male female, with part-time but permanent beneficiaries poorer, almost all women and, majority, household heads. Though wages paid make a significant contribution to households’ cash incomes, research finds that multiplicity objectives set leads inefficient targeting. model does not increase longer-term employability selected beneficiaries, labour market characterised by an excess supply unskilled semi-skilled labour. Former return unemployment, their incomes drop. permanent,part-time, Natal, communities on grounds poverty, is more effective as means supplementing poor.