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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@***super_nova*** wrote:

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@purple_haize wrote:

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 my nephew works in Belgrave, and he sees the young ones who dont work and there are alot just hanging around doing nothing, except drinking and smoking, I have seen it for myself.

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How can anybody who gets $200 (?) a week spend all day drinking and smoking?  They just could not afford to do that, they can hardly afford rent & food.  Unless their parents are stupid enough to support them. 

By the way, when i first bought this house i assumed that the people next door were on the dole; well, they were home all day I could hear them talking in their garden.  When I finally met them I realised that he is a very highly qualified person working at night.  His wife was at home as she was due to have a baby, and then stayed at home for couple of years with her.  I was so ashamed that I jumped into conclusion. 🙂

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They can afford to do that if they are getting the living away from home amount, and that is what they do, they dont live at home so they get a higher amount of the dole.

Thing is, I know my stepson, I know he hangs out with all his mates that are on the dole I know what they do.

My nephew works in Belgrave and he sees all the young ones who are on the dole hanging around or sitting outside the pub drinking and smoking.

I am not assuming anything, I know for a fact I see it when I am out, I live in The Dandenongs, alot goes on that people that dont live here never know about.

[margomeoz]

Also when are these people working for the dole going to have time to look for a decent paying job.

[purple_haize]

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@margomeoz wrote:

Also when are these people working for the dole going to have time to look for a decent paying job.

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They wont have time.

[polksaladallie]

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Unemployment does not "just happen".

We were told in an economics class that it is "structured unemployment".  That is, the rate is determined by the government and their economic advisors.  It changes according to the economic situation at any one time, with the stroke of a pen.

This flag-flying exercise is just to appease the population who complains about the rising price of chardonnay.

[colic2bullsgirlore]

ooh yeah it is spiralling out of control........ said Chicken Little

http://www.tradingeconomics.com/australia/unemployment-rate

Australia Unemployment Rate at 5.8% in December

Unemployment Rate in Australia remained unchanged at 5.80 percent in December of 2013. Unemployment Rate in Australia is reported by the Australian Bureau of Statistic.

Unemployment Rate in Australia averaged 6.93 Percent from 1978 until 2013, reaching an all time high of 10.90 Percent in December of 1992 and a record low of 4 Percent in February of 2008.

In Australia, the unemployment rate measures the number of people actively looking for a job as a percentage of the labour force.

http://www.ibtimes.com/us-november-jobs-report-2013-unemployment-rate-falls-70-nonfarm-payrolls-rise...

United States

Unemployment Rate Falls To 7.0%,

U.S. job growth remained solid in November and the unemployment rate fell to the lowest level in five years, a sign of stronger economic growth that could bring the Federal Reserve a step closer to curtailing its massive monetary stimulus

http://www.tradingeconomics.com/greece/unemployment-rate

Greece Unemployment Rate

Unemployment Rate in Greece increased to 27.80 percent in October of 2013 from 27.70 percent in September of 2013. Unemployment Rate in Greece is reported by the National Statistical Service of Greece.

Unemployment Rate in Greece averaged 13.36 Percent from 1998 until 2013, reaching an all time high of 27.80 Percent in October of 2013 and a record low of 7.30 Percent in May of 2008. In Greece, the unemployment rate measures the number of people actively looking for a job as a percentage of the labour force.

This page contains - Greece Unemployment Rate - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news

http://www.tradingeconomics.com/china/unemployed-persons

Chinese unemployment rate December 2013

4 percent

The number of unemployed persons in China decreased to 921 Thousand Persons in the third quarter of 2013 from 923 Thousand Persons in the second quarter of 2013. Unemployed Persons in China is reported by the Mohrss, China. From 2004 until 2013, China Unemployed Persons averaged 874.3 Thousand reaching an all time high of 926.0 Thousand in March of 2013 and a record low of 810.0 Thousand in March of 2004. In China, unemployed persons are individuals who are without a job and actively seeking to work.

http://www.tradingeconomics.com/united-kingdom/unemployment-rate

Unemployment Rate in the United Kingdom decreased to 7.10 percent in November of 2013 from 7.40 percent in October of 2013. Unemployment Rate in the United Kingdom is reported by the Office for National Statistics.

Unemployment Rate in the United Kingdom averaged 7.27 Percent from 1971 until 2013, reaching an all time high of 12 Percent in May of 1984 and a record low of 3.40 Percent in November of 1973.

[boris1gary]

No Daydream it is not addressing the problem at all - just attempting to shift the blame onto the unemployed.

Addressing the problem would be things like

lowering the age of retirement instead of steadily increasing it.

large employers being obliged to offer apprenticeships.

the idle rich being forced to pay there fair share of taxes.

just a start.

[colic2bullsgirlore]

http://www.tradingeconomics.com/country-list/unemployment-rate

Australia sits @ 116 with 5.8% unemployment

From the link country number 1 is the country with the worst unemployment rate.

Country 196 is the country with the best unemployment rate.

[spotweldersfriend]

Rent assistance is a maximum of $50 per week,taking single unemployment benefits to $600 per fortnight.Hardly an amount to go boozing and smoking all week.
Lets face it the reason there are so many on the dole is that there are not enough vacancies. The real unemployment rate is probably double the official figure.

[bluecat*dancing]

Treating the unemployed as lazy and worthless just adds to the demoralisation caused by being on the dole. Work for the Dole is yet another way for vulnerable people to be used as political footballs. Easy targets. Its a token attempt  to appease and appeal to the self righteous snobs. I am all for re-training but I doubt that these workforthedole positions will ultimately do that. It didn't work for Howard and it won't work for Abbott. This Government would be better off creating jobs and raising the dole so that it is above the poverty line. Also, job agencies need to be scrutinised as they don't seem to be very effective.

[purple_haize]

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@spotweldersfriend wrote:
Rent assistance is a maximum of $50 per week,taking single unemployment benefits to $600 per fortnight.Hardly an amount to go boozing and smoking all week.
Lets face it the reason there are so many on the dole is that there are not enough vacancies. The real unemployment rate is probably double the official figure.

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Look you can say what you like re the smoking and drinking all week.......I see it first hand, I know personally those that do it and the ages of those that do it range between 17 and 22yrs, maybe some are older............this is done in areas where I live and have lived.........not saying all young do it, but it is done in two suburbs that I know of.