Dear MEC for Health and Head of Gauteng Department of Health,

We, the former employees of the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) within the Gauteng Department of Health, write to express our grave concern and deep frustration over the department's ongoing recruitment of new EPWP participants while leaving many of us, who have diligently served in the past, unemployed and overlooked. It is disheartening to see new opportunities being offered when those who are experienced and eager to return to work are neglected.

The EPWP was designed to provide vital skills training and work experience to vulnerable groups, creating pathways to sustainable employment. Many of us have wholeheartedly embraced our roles under this initiative, contributing significantly to the healthcare sector. We have acquired valuable skills and demonstrated a strong commitment to improving public health services. Our only request is fair treatment and consideration for reemployment under new EPWP contracts before new participants are brought in.

We therefore demand:

That we be reinstated back to work with immediate effect and that the Department immediately place a moratorium on recruiting new EPWP participants 

Statistics show that unemployment in Gauteng is a pressing issue, with thousands of skilled workers available and ready to contribute if given the opportunity. A study by Stats SA reveals that the unemployment rate in the province reached a staggering 34% in 2026. In such a critical economic climate, it is imperative that those already trained and experienced under EPWP are prioritised for new job opportunities to maximize the program's effectiveness and efficiency.

Moreover, recruiting new participants while ignoring the potential of former experienced workers undermines the very goal of the EPWP—to transition individuals from poverty into stable employment. It is a misuse of resources and an inefficient practice that could significantly hinder the department's operations, particularly when efforts are needed the most in completing health projects or ameliorating public health services in Gauteng.

We strongly urge the Gauteng Department of Health to cease the recruitment of new EPWP participants until a comprehensive review of the former workers’ cohort is conducted. Implementing this change not only aligns with the programme’s intention but is also a compassionate step towards supporting families who depend on these wages, especially during these challenging economic times.

Sign this petition to demand that the Gauteng Department of Health give fair consideration to former EPWP workers and address this imbalance to ensure the integrity and effectiveness of the EPWP initiative. Your support can bring about essential change for those who have served devotedly and help mend the growing employment crisis in Gauteng. Please sign and share if you believe in fairness for all former EPWP workers!