Facility created for workers, job seekers
The influx of workers and job seekers in Great Brak River, specifically in terms of a location where they gather on a daily basis to be picked up by contractors or individuals, has been a concern for some time.
These job seekers are mainly from the construction sector or related industries and also those looking for any type of part-time work, who congregate at the corner of Sandhoogte Road and Long Street.
It is believed job seekers also arrive from George via the N2, as well as from areas in Great Brak River, such as Wolwedans and Greenhaven.
The current location where the workers and job seekers gather is unsuitable for several reasons. These include higher traffic volume in the mornings from Sandhoogte Road into Long Street.
Job seekers create a safety risk, getting in the way of traffic. Normal pedestrian traffic in this area is also disturbed and reports of harassment have been received. There are also no ablution facilities at this congregation point.
There is no safe parking for employers and members of the public, who pick up their workers and other job seekers at the current location on Sandhoogte Road.
Intervention
Several role players, including the Mossel Bay Municipality, through its Ward 4 councillor and ward committee, the Great Brak Business Forum and Great Brak Ratepayers’ Association have come up with a workable solution, by creating a facility where workers and job seekers can be fetched and dropped safely in a suitable area.
The area opposite the Pick n Pay retail outlet and adjacent to the Bolton`s Footwear shop and factory, being a portion of the remainder of Erf 5009, Great Brak River, has been identified as a suitable location.
Apart from this area being available for the placement of a Wendy house to act as an office and sheltered waiting area, municipal ablution facilities are available. Sufficient parking space is available to enable employers and those offering temporary work to park safely.
This relocation also benefits workers and job seekers from Wolwedans and Greenhaven who will travel a much shorter distance to where they can be picked up for work.
An awareness campaign will be launched to inform workers, job seekers and employers of this new pick-up and drop-off area. At the new facility, a database of workers and job seekers, as well as their skills, will be compiled.
It is important that the whole community of Great Brak River buys into this project and all join hands to make this project successful.
For more information, contact the following role players of this project:
Annatjie Janse van Rensburg (annatjiejvren@gmail.com)
Ronald Haquebord (ronaldhac@gmail. com)
Herman Swanepoel (hermanswanepoel32@ gmail.com).