Research Catalog

Assessing the incidence of public works programmes : using propensity score matching techniques to assess the poverty targeting of employment in two public works programmes in South Africa

Title
Assessing the incidence of public works programmes : using propensity score matching techniques to assess the poverty targeting of employment in two public works programmes in South Africa / by Anna McCord and Kate Wilkinson.
Author
McCord, Anna.
Publication
Cape Town, South Africa : Southern Africa Labour and Development Research Unit, University of Cape Town, 2009.

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Additional Authors
  • Wilkinson, Kate.
  • University of Cape Town. Southern Africa Labour and Development Research Unit.
Description
43 unnumbered pages : illustrations, map; 21 cm.
Summary
"This paper explores the socio-economic identity of Public Works Programme (PWP) participants in two programmes in South Africa, in order to establish the incidence of PWP participation, a question which is central to assessing the social protection impact of PWPs, but which is frequently omitted from programme analysis, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. The paper focuses on an analysis of the demographic and socio-economic characteristics of PWP participants. As in many PWPs, no baseline data on participants in these programme were collected. Therefore, it is not possible to ascertain a priori who the beneficiaries of the programmes are, a situation which fundamentally challenges any attempt to or to assess incidence or the social protection impact of such an intervention. The research interrogates the assumption that the 'less eligibility criteria' central to the design of PWPs (the work requirement and low wages) will lead to participation of the poorest, thereby reducing the likelihood of inclusion errors, attempting first to ascertain who the participants in the programmes are. The question is explored using survey data gathered in 2003 on two case study PWPs implemented simultaneously in South Africa, which adopt different design and targeting approaches. Programme incidence is then considered in relationship to targeting and programme objectives, and the conclusion drawn that in order for PWPs to reach the poorest in a given community, reliance on self targeting through the work requirement and a low wage is not adequate, and explicit targeting measures are needed during participant selection"--Publisher description.
Series Statement
Working paper series ; no. 31
Uniform Title
Saldru working paper ; no. 31.
Subject
  • Poor > Employment > South Africa
  • Public works > South Africa > Statistics
  • Manpower policy > South Africa
  • Public works > South Africa > Evaluation
  • Statistical matching
  • South Africa > Economic policy
Note
  • Cover title.
Bibliography (note)
  • Includes bibliographical references (p. [41-43]).
Additional Formats (note)
  • Also available online.
ISBN
  • 9780981430423
  • 0981430422
OCLC
  • ocn656321800
  • 656321800
  • SCSB-5641844
Owning Institutions
Columbia University Libraries