- Tom Drake-Brockman
- Sydney
- Australia
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A proposal for massive reduction of unemployment.
All employers, large and small, private and public, should be obliged to provide part time work for unemployed people. Each workplace would be given quotas scaled to its size. The unemployed would be free to choose their preferred workplace (providing a quota was not already filled there) and their employer would pay the equivalent of their work relief benefit as a wage for the time worked. That might only be 2 or 3 days a week, depending on the award rate for their industry. Private businesses would be fully reimbursed by the government but all employers would be expected to provide on the job training in return for the free labour. If permanent employment was not offered within say, three months, the job seeker would have to move to another workplace of his/her choice.
This scheme would have multiple benefits. It would:
• provide invaluable work experience and enhanced opportunities to showcase personal skills,
•fast-track people into real jobs providing real social justice to those genuinely seeking work
•eliminate passive welfare, restoring dignity to the unemployed
•remove any incentive or opportunity for rorting or loopholing the system,
•slash welfare and bureaucracy costs while massively boosting national productivity,
•help entrench a new ethic of mutual obligation that Western democracies so urgently need to counter a pervasive culture of greed and entitlement.
Am I dreaming or is this not a viable solution?
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Kate Blake 50+
There is already a system in place for those over 55 years to do 30 hours per fortnight voluntary work. Why not expand that out to include all?
The Dept still pays the benefit, and only those NGOs and employers who are already signed on and complying can get volunteer labour. The volunteer agency to place people is already there and my guess if people perform well they can get reasonable references for paid employment. And if not at least they are working for the benefit - does this make sense?
From what I know these job training agencies are routing the system and not performing at all well. People who are appalled by the system seem more motivated to seek genuine employment and move on. But way too many expect benefits with no strings attached - good idea to make them work for it.
Tom Drake-Brockman
Nor would a volunteer system prevent so many Aboriginal Australians from rejecting work offers in favour of the dole to which they have become addicted- like the alcohol they consume to fuel a self destructive spiral of worthlessness and despair.
My plan may seem radical but its not really- I think its the least any sane, civilized society should do.
Kate Blake 50+
I think others have pointed out that financially and logistically your solution would be most difficult to establish. Have a good day
Tom Drake-Brockman
Less than 15% of these jobs have been taken up because the training provided by the government is not job specific and because the dole is a far easier option. My proposal would resolve both those problems.
I agree that many Australians are racist but probably no more so than any other nationality and a good deal less than some.
As for others pointing out the 'financial and logistic' difficulties to my scheme, you must have seen something that I missed. Have you really read my responses to these disputants? I get the strong impression that people do not seem to be interested in solving major problems like this as much as in venting their own preconceptions and scoring points.
Kate Blake 50+
Where are those 60,000 jobs?
Tom Drake-Brockman
If you contacted Generation One, I am sure they would provide you with a wide variety of positions available in Qld- both urban and regional.