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]

TS............I have a wonderful memory.

[purple_haize]

and I dont tell lies.............maybe you would like the address and phone number of my stepson and ask him yourself how it is.

[chuk_77]

so by your own statement, you didnt want to work, for 30 years? Then you are the last person who can pass judgement on the unemployed 

[bella_again]

Maybe let it rest guys, everyone's experiences are different...

Azure I haven't read much about the proposed restrictions to DSP but I do know it is very difficult to get onto DSP with the current disability assessment scales.  I'd like to read more can you point me to an article? I did read the one that said the reason why there has been an increase in DSP was because we have raised the retirement age and that the figures they are quoting are incorrect there has only been an 0.4% rise when those factors are taken into consideration.

[chuk_77]

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@chuk_77 wrote:

so by your own statement, you didnt want to work, for 30 years? Then you are the last person who can pass judgement on the unemployed 

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well now my question doesnt make any sense, would love to know why my question was moderated?

[purple_haize]

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@chuk_77 wrote:

so by your own statement, you didnt want to work, for 30 years? Then you are the last person who can pass judgement on the unemployed 

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I said I lived in Boronia, I had 2 kids to bring up on my own I lived in Boronia and I also worked part time to feed them and pay my mortgage,

So dont pass judgement on me,

I have worked since the age of 14yrs. when I left school in Adelaide, 14 being the leaving age then

I lived in Boronia for over 30yrs...........I now live in The Dandenong Ranges in Melbourne and my inlaws live in Belgrave and work in Belgrave, so nothing I have said in a lie, so please dont be judgemental of me.

[the_great_she_elephant]

http://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_Departments/Parliamentary_Library/pubs/rp/rp131...

3. Unemployed youth (15 to 24 years) as a proportion of total unemployed – seasonally adjusted

As you can see from this graph, youth unemployment   is currently running at around 38%  of total unemployment and that figure probably includes school leavers who have not yet found work,but may not be eligible for a Newstart Allowance. While it does mean that that age group is certainly over represented, it also means that around 62% of people currently unemployed are over the age of 24.

It is also highly unlikely that the majority of the 38% of young unemployed are workshy, booze and drug adicted, dole-bludgers. Even supposingf 1/3 of them didn't want to work that would still only represent about 13% of the total unemployed, so why does any discussion on unemployment immediately home in on this very small group.

[twinkles**stars]

57.9% of the people living in Belgrave are employed full time, 32.1% are working on a part time basis. Belgrave has an unemployment rate of 5%.

60.6% of the people living in Boronia are employed full time, 29.2% are working on a part time basis. Boronia has an unemployment rate of 4.7%

54.4% of the people living in Kallista are employed full time, 35.6% are working on a part time basis. Kallista has an unemployment rate of 4.4%.

56.7% of the people living in Upwey are employed full time, 32.9% are working on a part time basis. Upwey has an unemployment rate of 4.7%.

Australia Unemployment Rate at 5.8% in December

[vampire-teddy]

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@chuk_77 wrote:

i can not believe the amount of snobbery on this thread.

We are close to being broke as my OH is out of work (no fault of his own) and doesnt want the dole due to the stimga of it. 

Up until I read this thread I thought he was nuts, now i see it.

If you are on the dole you are a drug taking smoking alco....

Some people need to get off their high horse and see the world for what it really is

"go see this suburb, you will understand what Im saying"

We have lived in a low socio-economic area, OH has worked non stop since he was 14 but now he is unable to he is lumped in a dole bludger category? He has an appointment with them on friday just so we can continue to make ends meet.

So thank you to all you judging others without knowing the history of people. you have made sure the stigma of welfare is alive and well

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it is similar for those on dsp  as people assume that you are automatically cheating the system is you don't have an obvious disability.  it is neither a pleasure nor a choice to accept welfare in most cases.  most people are not doing the wrong thing.  it can happen to anyone both unemployment or unexpected medical issues.  it is all very well for rich pollies to make decisions without any real understanding of people's circumstances.  

as for work for the dole, i don't believe it will work this time any better than it has worked in the past.  there are no real skills learned, others lose their jobs so businesses can have free labour.  i also don't agree on any leve with national service as I don't think anyone should every be forced to take part in military exercises or carry a gun.

[azureline**]

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@bella_again wrote:

Maybe let it rest guys, everyone's experiences are different...

Azure I haven't read much about the proposed restrictions to DSP but I do know it is very difficult to get onto DSP with the current disability assessment scales.  I'd like to read more can you point me to an article? I did read the one that said the reason why there has been an increase in DSP was because we have raised the retirement age and that the figures they are quoting are incorrect there has only been an 0.4% rise when those factors are taken into consideration.

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Sorry, just saw your post Bella, I have not read a lot about it but this bothered me.

http://www.theherald.com.au/story/2006088/opinion-disability-support-pension-changes-unfair/