COSATU on the Extent of Outsourcing in the Public Works Department

The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) is shocked and utterly disgusted by the reports that the Department of Public Works spends thousands and possibly millions in outsourcing functions that the department has an in-house capacity to undertake.

Newspaper reports indicate that the Department has paid private companies thousands for functions such as media and communications work. This is despite the Department having a full complement of communications staff. COSATU is convinced that these revelations are a mere tip of the outsourcing and corruption iceberg in the department.

It is ridiculous that a department which describes itself as the "handy man" of the state and a crucial player in job creation though the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) resorts to outsourcing even the most basic of its functions.

The trend seen in the Public Works department is only one example. In reality, many government departments resort to outsourcing basic functions such as letter writing and report compilations for thousands of rands. Through outsourcing, government departments waste millions of rands which could be better spent creating jobs and providing housing and better healthcare services for the poor.

COSATU demands an end to outsourcing and tendering in government. Aside from threatening jobs and wasting millions, contracted out services make public control and accountability impossible and this provides a breeding ground for corruption and the dishing out of contracts to acquaintances and relatives.

COSATU is adamant that government must utilize its in-house capacity provide services and directly employ workers instead of relying on expensive and greedy consultants. 

Statement issued by Phindile Kunene, Shopsteward Editor, COSATU, September 27 2011

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