27 June 2006
Disadvantaged Jobseekers Prefer Work to Dole
Victorian welfare organisation, Melbourne Citymission today launched the ‘Give Me a Break’ report, calling on governments to remove barriers that prevent people from becoming taxpayers, rather than welfare recipients.
“Disadvantaged jobseekers want a better future”, said Chief Executive Officer Anne Turley today. “Our study shows that these people want work, not unemployment benefits.”
The report, based on the experiences of 186 Melbourne Citymission clients, suggests that the new welfare-to-work legislation may make things more difficult for vulnerable jobseekers like single parents and people with disabilities.
“These people need to be helped – not harassed.” said Ms Turley. “This study clearly demonstrates that punitive breaching regimes don’t work for disadvantaged jobseekers.”
Former Lord Mayor and Melbourne Citymission Patron Ivan Deveson launched ‘Give me a Break’ ahead of changes to federal government legislation, which take effect on 1 July 2006.
The report calls on governments to:
- abolish the compliance framework and associated penalties for disadvantaged jobseekers
- invest in vocational and pre-employment training for disadvantaged jobseekers
- support employers to offer jobs to people who have been unemployed for long periods, and
- provide marginalised jobseekers with additional support to help them overcome barriers to employment like homelessness and long-term illness.
Mr Deveson urged governments to take action. “Australia is currently experiencing unprecedented economic prosperity. By investing now to further reduce unemployment of the disadvantaged, we will create a more productive and durable workforce, and reduce the cost of providing welfare assistance.”
“We still have significant unemployment and underemployment in the midst of emerging labour shortages. This is a waste of human potential. I challenge employers to provide 186 traineeships, apprenticeships or jobs for 186 disadvantaged job seekers. We must act to further help disadvantaged jobseekers gain the skills they need to get jobs.” said Mr Deveson today.
CEO Anne Turley said that disadvantaged jobseekers will continue to be excluded from employment and training opportunities. “Governments must address the lack of affordable and accessible childcare and the shortage of low cost housing. People searching for work must not be stymied because they can’t afford the costs of training or public transport.”
Ms Turley said that the latest changes to the welfare-to-work legislation do not address the systemic weaknesses of current policy. “These changes will not lead to sustainable outcomes, and they risk further marginalising already disadvantaged jobseekers.”
