Will Work For Dole Work?

[icyfroth]

The federal government's planned revival of the work-for-the-dole scheme won't help people into jobs and could take jobs from paid workers, critics say.

But the government says it's more concerned with helping the unemployed learn "soft skills" and getting them job-ready.

Under the coalition's planned work-for-the-dole expansion, Newstart recipients will be forced to complete some tasks which may include rubbish collection, park maintenance and gardening and painting at aged care facilities.

The scheme would be compulsory and anyone who refused would lose their Newstart payment.

"We're looking for ways in which we can create more work-like placements, such as placing jobseekers with organisations (like) local councils, where they could work in a team environment with people on various council activities," Assistant Minister for Employment Luke Hartsuyker told AAP on Monday.

While no date has been fixed, the scheme will be operational in the next financial year.

The government will pay "host" organisations to cover the costs of job requirements like workers compensation, health and safety training or police checks.

The Australian Council of Social Services said it was concerned the scheme would require individuals to work below the minimum wage, based on the Newstart rate of $35 a day.

The Australian Services Union said it could put paid workers out of a job if organisations could get free labour under Newstart.

But Mr Hartsuyker says that won't happen.

The scheme would not displace paid work and paid opportunities, he said.

The opposition has slammed the proposal, saying it could increase the unemployment rate.

Labor MP Andrew Leigh said a Melbourne University study conducted under the Howard government showed the scheme didn't help people into jobs.

"It ended up diverting people from job-search activities into work-for-the-dole activities," he said.

Mr Hartsuyker said the government's focus was on getting people into jobs by teaching them "soft skills".

"It's as simple as turning up to work everyday and being appropriately presented."

Link To Article

I think it's right that ppl should work for the dole. You?

[purple_haize]

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@boris1gary wrote:

That job find is a rort, unemployed people forced to attend - then forced to sit around using slow computer's to apply for jobs that often don't exist, or even worse - forced to trudge around town going into shop's that aren't employing to ask for a job to be told, oh you have to apply online and i don't think we are taking on anyone at the moment. How humiliating.

Welfare payments need to be increased, can't see it happening.

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Boris, you think that welfare payments should be increased.

For the younger ones on the dole, who believe they shouldnt have to work, as the govt. is paying them to do nothing and alot have that attitude, they use their money for drugs, alcohol etc.........do you think their payment should be increased?

[lloydslights]

Wasn't it called the CES (Commonwealth Employment Service)?

Also, some of the menial jobs, ie lawnmowing, graffiti removal, etc. have become lucrative businesses for some people, simply because the jobs are menial.

The building industry reflects the economy.  It is time for governments to get major projects up and running (even if they have to borrow; or promote Government Bonds).

DEB

[freakiness]

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@lurker17260 wrote:
Isn't there a requirement for people on Newstart to prove they are actively looking for work? Like show they have applied for a certain number of jobs or something?
How is that going to work if they are out "working" for their benefit? Is the council or whatever going to be happy at having their work force down tools a couple of times a day to attend interviews?

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On top of that if they are not able to take calls while they "work" they could miss out on an paid work opportunities. 

People who do temp work often get very short notice and they need to be available immediately.

[spotweldersfriend]

Job seekers have to fill in a job search diary.They have to write down all the names of the companies they've contacted. In a small town you will have contacted all possible employers in a couple of weeks.
The job network is a joke. These employment agencies very rarely get their clients a job or even an interview.It costs the taxpayer hundreds of millions a year for virtually no return. The old Commonwealth Employment Agency was much better and cheaper.

[freakiness]

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@purple_haize wrote:

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@boris1gary wrote:

That job find is a rort, unemployed people forced to attend - then forced to sit around using slow computer's to apply for jobs that often don't exist, or even worse - forced to trudge around town going into shop's that aren't employing to ask for a job to be told, oh you have to apply online and i don't think we are taking on anyone at the moment. How humiliating.

Welfare payments need to be increased, can't see it happening.

---

Boris, you think that welfare payments should be increased.

For the younger ones on the dole, who believe they shouldnt have to work, as the govt. is paying them to do nothing and alot have that attitude, they use their money for drugs, alcohol etc.........do you think their payment should be increased?

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After living with a bunch of young people and having young adults myself I can honestly say I don't know any who would rather live on the dole. They like money too much to settle for next to nothing. 

[margomeoz]

Cheap labour for the rich it will take work from the employed making them unemployed needing the dole too.

[freakiness]

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@lloydslights wrote:

Wasn't it called the CES (Commonwealth Employment Service)?

Also, some of the menial jobs, ie lawnmowing, graffiti removal, etc. have become lucrative businesses for some people, simply because the jobs are menial.

The building industry reflects the economy.  It is time for governments to get major projects up and running (even if they have to borrow; or promote Government Bonds).

DEB

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You mean like the NBN?

[tasfleur]

In my opinion, "work for the dole" won't work unless it is set up and administered by highly intelligent and highly trained people who know exactly what they are doing for the unemployed, rather than against them.

How would that work?  It most likely wouldn't.  The problem seems to be that short term or long term unemployed people are often all thrown under the bus into the same category.

Pick up any paper on any day and there it is, thousands thrown out of work and it has been going on for a long time.

The problems are bigger than the solutions to unemployment on a global scale, let alone smaller country populations.  Governments can invent unpaid jobs and call it volunteering, but that's not long term reality either.

[spotweldersfriend]

Another misconception-people on the dole just want to sit around all day and get drunk and stoned.Where do you get your info from,ACA?

[purple_haize]

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@freakiness wrote:

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@purple_haize wrote:

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@boris1gary wrote:

That job find is a rort, unemployed people forced to attend - then forced to sit around using slow computer's to apply for jobs that often don't exist, or even worse - forced to trudge around town going into shop's that aren't employing to ask for a job to be told, oh you have to apply online and i don't think we are taking on anyone at the moment. How humiliating.

Welfare payments need to be increased, can't see it happening.

---

Boris, you think that welfare payments should be increased.

For the younger ones on the dole, who believe they shouldnt have to work, as the govt. is paying them to do nothing and alot have that attitude, they use their money for drugs, alcohol etc.........do you think their payment should be increased?

---

After living with a bunch of young people and having young adults myself I can honestly say I don't know any who would rather live on the dole. They like money too much to settle for next to nothing. 

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You obviously dont live around where I live..& have lived, the young dont want to work, they are content to live on the dole, as long as they have their money every fortnight to buy what ever they want, they are happy with that............NOT all young ones want a job!