PROPOSED MODEL FOR THE INTRODUCTION OF A RURAL/REMOTE ALLOWANCE PHSDSBC – 28 MARCH 2019

1. PROPOSED MODEL FOR THE INTRODUCTION OF A RURAL/REMOTE ALLOWANCE PHSDSBC – 28 MARCH 2019

2. PURPOSE • To request the PHSDSBC to- • note the model, methodology and approach; • support the criteria of identifying areas; • support the identified areas; and • support that the model be adopted.

3. PURPOSE FOR INTRODUCING ALLOWANCE • For the circumstantial payment of a rural allowance to incentivize Social Services Professions in identified rural areas in terms of the demarcation principles to ensure equality within the sector. • To ensure equity and equality in the Public Service in general and between DSD and Health specifically; • Improvement in services through the retention of SSP’s in specifically demarcated areas that are classified as remote with higher levels of poverty.

4. The Social Development Sector is struggling to attract and retain social workers in inhospitable areas. • A service provider (CSIR) was appointed to scientifically identify areas through a GIS study to ensure that incentives are paid appropriately. • During the first phase of the project qualitative research was conducted in the form of focus groups and during the second phase a remoteness/incentive index was developed. BACKGROUND

5. BACKGROUND (continue) • The model for the payment of a rural/remote allowance was presented to the Social Development MINMEC during August 2010 which was consequently approved for implementation. • The DPSA was approached on three occasions to request that the Mandate Committee convene to approve sufficient funds in the Adjusted Estimates of Expenditure and over the MTEF to fund the implementation

6. EVIDENCE FOR AND EXTENT OF THE PROBLEM • Although the OSD for SSP & related Occupations made wide ranging provisions to attract and retain SSPs, the sector is still struggling in rural areas to attract and retain SSPs thereby compromising the provision of services to the poorest and most vulnerable sectors of society. • Researchers established a general reluctance by SSPs to work in rural areas due to poor infrastructure, housing, schools, shopping malls and services found in urban/semi urban areas. • This is evident in the vacancy rate in rural areas that ranges between 12 and 14% in certain provinces. • Higher recruitment cost due to repeated advertising of posts. • The turnover of SSPs results largely from movement between NGOs, government departments, private and corporate sector, as well as migration from rural to urban areas and to other countries. • gh

7. RATIONALE • Targeted intervention to incentivize SSPs to work in remote/rural areas. • Allowance seeks to provide partial relief for the inconvenience of being stationed in inhospitable areas. • Allowance aims to assist with amongst others transport / travel, schooling, housing and social amenities. • Payment of the allowance will ensure equality within the Health and Social Development Sector.

8. PRODUCING AN INDEX • Two factors (living and physical working conditions) were identified during qualitative consultations. • The two factors were quantified through variables, namely: living conditions by incorporating the urban functional index which is the degree to which people in a specific area have access to a variety of urban functions and services, and working conditions by incorporating the condition of roads as well as profiling the population in terms of poverty. • Living conditions>> indicated by >>Accessibility index • Working conditions >>indicated by>> Work burden index • Incentive index based on combination of Accessibility and work burden indexes, classified into 6 categories.

9. MODEL Working Conditions Accessibility Index Living Conditions Incentive Index Work Load / Volume Work Burden Index Proportion of Poverty

10. INTERPRETING THE INDEX

11. FACTORS/VARIABLES TO DEFINE RURALNESS • Distances travelled for work • Lack of resources and facilities • Lack of basic services • Remoteness/inaccessibility • Poor access to information • Poverty and underdevelopment • Livelihood options • Settlement patterns • Language and cultural factors

12. IDENTIFIED AREAS PER PROVINCE SSPs stationed in Gauteng will not qualify for the payment of a rural allowance.

13. POST ESTABLISHMENT (INDEX 3 – 6) Analysis: The overall vacancy rate is 4% but if you do the calculation per province the vacancy rate is much more higher e.g. FS – 14.9%, NC – 13.4% and NW – 11.4%

14. VACANCIES PER INDEX

15. INCENTIVE PROPOSALS TO MINMEC

16. Financial Implications for filled and vacant post – OPTION 1

17. Financial Implications for filled and vacant post – OPTION 2

18. Financial Implications for filled and vacant post – OPTION 3

19. Financial Implications for filled and vacant post – OPTION 4

20. IMPLEMENTATION APPROACH • Full scale implementation or phased in approach; • Phased in implementation supported; • Decision of phasing in approach: • By occupations; • By area; or • Combination of occupations and areas • Benefits of phased in approach: • Effective implementation; • Lessons applied to other occupation / areas.

21. RECOMMENDATION It is recommended that Labour- • notes the model, methodology and approach; • supports the criteria of identifying areas; • supports the identified areas; and • supports that the model be adopted.

22. THANK YOU