Latest news with #SocialDevelopment
CTV News
21 hours ago
- Business
- CTV News
Union holds rally after N.S. ends Out of the Cold operations
Hundreds of people attended a rally for Out of the Cold at Nova Scotia Province House. (Source: Callum Smith/CTV News Atlantic) Hundreds of people attended a rally outside Nova Scotia Province House on Tuesday after the government ended Out of the Cold operations at two modular housing sites earlier this month. Out of the Cold, a housing association, said the Department of Opportunities and Social Development told them on July 7 their services were no longer required at their modular sites on Cogswell Street in Halifax and Church Street in Dartmouth. Earlier this month Out of the Cold told CTV News Atlantic it provided supportive housing to 63 adults. 'The representatives from the Department of Opportunities and Social Development provided us with a letter that outlines several 'critical concerns' that 'have not been addressed,' or have been 'inconsistently or insufficiently addressed,'' Out of the Cold said in a written statement. 'We are deeply concerned that the way this has transpired, and a potential change in model with have severe consequences for the population OTC has been honoured to serve for almost two decades.' Modular housing Out of the Cold operated modular housing sites in Dartmouth and Halifax. (Source: Callum Smith/CTV News Atlantic) The Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 2 said the closure of the sites left 42 workers without jobs. At Tuesday's rally, it called on the provincial government to meet with the workers to plan a transition to keep the community safe and require a new service provider to offer employment to experienced workers who have 'fostered relationships with residents.' 'The workers are not refuting concerns around mismanagement, but say that if mismanagement was the concern, this is not the way to go about fixing the situation,' SEIU said in a news release. Out of the Cold said it would ensure employees are fully paid for hours worked, vacation and severance. SEIU said workers have not received 'concrete information' about pay. More to come… Rally Hundreds of people attended a rally for Out of the Cold at Nova Scotia Province House. (Source: Callum Smith/CTV News Atlantic) For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page
IOL News
5 days ago
- Business
- IOL News
No grants will be cancelled without verification and due process, says Social Development Minister Tolashe
As the Department modernises SASSA and reviews grant eligibility, Minister of Social Development Sisisi Tolashe stresses no grant will be stopped without due process, urging beneficiaries to cooperate with the verification process. Minister of Social Development Sisisi Tolashe stated that no social grants will be cancelled without proper verification and due process. Delivering the department's Budget for the 2025/2026 financial year, Tolashe assured Parliament that the Department remains committed to ensuring grants reach only eligible recipients. She noted that recent efforts to review beneficiaries are not about unfairly cutting people off, but about ensuring that only those eligible receive grants. 'We have not stopped or suspended any grant without due process. I wish to appeal to all beneficiaries who have received correspondence to visit SASSA offices and undergo a review process,' she said. Tolashe emphasised that the grant system is a vital social safety net, supporting over 27 million beneficiaries, including 13 million children and more than 4 million older persons. Of the department's R294 billion budget allocation, R284 billion will go directly to monthly social assistance, while SASSA receives R24.7 billion for grant administration over the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework period.
eNCA
6 days ago
- Business
- eNCA
Unpacking the Social Development financial plan
JOHANNESBURG - About 45% of South Africans are receiving some form of financial support from social development. WATCH: In conversation with Al Jama-ah leader Ganief Hendricks As a result, the department will spend most of the 294-billion rand budget allocation on direct transfers. Social Development Deputy Minister Ganief Hendricks, discussed the department's budget vote with eNCA.
Times of Oman
6 days ago
- General
- Times of Oman
Community initiative 'Our Safe Home' launched in Salalah to promote family awareness
Salalah: The Directorate General of Social Development in Dhofar Governorate on Thursday organised a community initiative titled "Our Safe Home". The initiative, which kicked off at the Sultan Qaboos Youth Complex for Culture and Entertainment in Salalah, was in pursuance of efforts to support the role of the family as a composite unit of society. The initiative seeks to raise awareness about the importance of establishing a psychologically and socially supportive home environment that contributes to the protection of children, the consolidation of family ties and prevention of negative behaviour and related risks. The event included two lectures. The first, titled 'The Red Signal', was aimed to caution against types of negative behaviour and risks to the family and society. The second, titled 'Digital Upbringing in a Fast-Growing World', dealt with ways to leverage the benefits of modern technology in upbringing the young and encouraging innovation.
The Citizen
6 days ago
- Business
- The Citizen
Sassa delivers grants and IDs to Harding
Sassa and Social Development hosted a successful outreach in Harding, providing social grant support, ID services and business funding. Residents of Harding and surrounding areas in KwaZulu-Natal received crucial government services this week during a community outreach led by the South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) and the Department of Social Development. The Integrated Community Registration and Outreach Programme (ICROP) took place on Tuesday at Mlamulankunzi Sports Ground in Ward 8, with Deputy Minister for Social Development, Ganief Hendricks, heading the delegation. 'This is my first, and hopefully the first of many ICROPs to come that I will be doing with Sassa, not only here in KZN but throughout the country. 'This is what ICROPs are all about: bringing government services closer to those who need it most and where they live,' said Hendricks. Access to grants, IDs and support Hundreds of residents received help with social grant applications, Covid-19 SRD enquiries, and identification services from the Department of Home Affairs. Beneficiaries also had the opportunity to engage directly with local leaders and national officials. Sassa's acting regional executive manager in KZN, Simlindile Jabavu, stated that the province is home to approximately 2.9 million Child Support Grant recipients. ALSO READ: Sassa cracks down on beneficiaries flagged for not disclosing income KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Social Development Mbali Shinga described the outreach as a tool for real change. 'I'm confident that today's outreach will help us take meaningful strides in poverty alleviation and our fight against GBV,' said Shinga. Business support handed over The National Development Agency handed over a cheque of more than R99 000 to Nolubaphitha Primary Cooperative Limited, a local female-led business that provides low-cost bread to the community. 'These are the kinds of initiatives we want to support as part of our Sustainable Livelihoods Programme,' said Hendricks. Sassa also distributed school uniforms to underprivileged pupils as part of its Social Relief of Distress Programme. Community member Bathobile Disani welcomed the initiative. 'We have challenges with our Covid-19 SRD grants, and Sassa officials were able to assist and resolve the issues on-site,' she said. NOW READ: No social grants have been suspended, says Sassa
