Fed: Claims jobless could be unfairly penalised in new system

AAP General News (Australia)
04-15-2009
Fed: Claims jobless could be unfairly penalised in new system

CANBERRA, April 15 AAP - Unemployed people could be adversely affected by the transition
into the new employment service system, welfare groups say.

The federal government is undertaking a $4 billion overhaul of employment services,
due to be up and running by July 1.

The Welfare Rights Centre says the transition will lead to an increase in the number
of job seekers who are penalised for not reaching commitments.

In the worst case scenario, a person could end up losing Centrelink payments for up
to eight weeks if they failed to look or show up for work.

"Employment service providers should be directed to take their finger from the trigger
and give job seekers the benefit of the doubt until the new system is bedded down," centre
policy officer Gerard Thomas told AAP.

Mr Thomas has also questioned whether it was reasonable to require job seekers to look
for 10 jobs a fortnight in the current economic climate.

"Engagement that is devoid of purpose and costly is ultimately counter-productive."

The nation's peak welfare group says job seekers will face chaos and confusion during
the changeover.

Australian Council of Social Service (ACOSS) chief Clare Martin said staff at services
that have lost contracts will move to other providers before the new system starts in
July.

"This would create a staffing vacuum with providers struggling to deliver services
to job seekers," she said in a statement.

"We are concerned many of the 650,000 Australians who are now out of work will be adversely
affected by the transition."

The groups have urged the government to ensure the transition is as smooth as possible.

AAP sld/kms/maur/

KEYWORD: JOBS NETWORK

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