The Department of Public Works (DPW) on Friday signed an agreement with the Public Servants Association (PSA) and the National Education, Health and Allied Workers Union (Nehawu), committing to work towards effective and efficient delivery of services within the DPW.

The framework agreement addressed issues relating to the rebuilding of the DPW, including its turnaround strategy and the migration of employees from the old to the new structure.

It also dealt with creating conditions conducive to consultation and information-sharing with organised labour on the rebuilding of the DPW, as well as increasing the department’s staff complement to provide efficient and effective public services.

The signatories of the agreement committed themselves to creating a patriotic public service culture within the DPW, while also undertaking to promote adherence to the rule of law, code of conduct and effective mechanisms to reverse and prevent corruption and maladministration, the DPW said in a statement.

The parties would also identify a comprehensive training and development programme to develop the competencies, skills and expertise of DPW employees.

Meanwhile, speaking at the signing ceremony, Public Works Minister Thulas Nxesi said the department would not tolerate corruption and fraud and appealed to unions to help expose those involved in such practises.

“The issues of fraud and corruption are nonnegotiable. If you carry on with fraud and corruption, we will expose you. Unions must help us expose such people,” he urged.

Nxesi further assured the signatories that there would be no job losses or privatisation of the DPW during the turnaround process, adding that the department did, however, want to retrain those who lacked the appropriate skills to ensure that the DPW was “professionalised”.

PSA deputy GM Manie De Clerq welcomed the joint signing of the agreement and supported the strong stance against corruption and fraud.

“We hope the implementation of the turnaround strategy will create a better public service and country for all,” he said.

Nehawu national treasurer Pulani Mogotsi also supported the agreement and expressed hope that it would lead to a more caring department and skills transfer for employees.