I am genuinely horrified by this disaster: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/jul/02/the-demerit-system-is-ruthless-social-policy-designed-to-keep-the-poor-powerless
I believe that we presently represent the job hopes of around 1500 people, in various stages of their progression to independent employment.
These are, pretty much to a person, vulnerable and in need of care and support.
When things like this are contemplated something is wrong. When such behaviour is acted out it is time to speak out: the commercialisation of poverty is bad enough, and the persecution of the most disadvantaged Australians is simply a bridge too far.
Here are the things that need attention:
Jobs with greater than expected hours of employment need to be recognised as of greater value. Presently 1 x 40hrs per week is given 1/5th the merit as 5 x 8hrs per week.
This is justified as assisting the maximum number of people with disability. That may be so, depending upon your definition of assisting, but small part time jobs are easy come, easy go. Such positions exploit subsidies, devalue people with disability and do not lead to offers of more work, instead they lead nowhere.
Full time or maximum hours leads to independence and inclusion.
I am constantly impressed by the ingenuity, resilience and coping skills exhibited by our jobseekers (qualities they carry through as employees) and am amazed by their planning and budgeting skills.
I live alone and own my home. My weekly costs would never be less than $500 and to survive on the pension I would need to reduce these expenses by around $150 a week.
That is obviously possible as our jobseekers are doing just that, so perhaps I might learn the skills.
What I would handle less well would be the stress of surviving on this pittance.
I can only imagine the crushing worry of meeting employment compliance and mutual obligation when I was struggling to keep food on the table and a roof over my head.
This latest initiative is anything else but smart. It places power in the hands of those for whom the exercise of that authority serves their financial interests while granted powers that exploit the fears and vulnerability of the most disadvantaged Australians.
This system, and these actions can only lead to harm.
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Previous Posts
2 Things
2 Things:
First:
About the middle of February I wrote: i. "NOVA Needs You!
We are presently engaged in a very significant recruitment drive and are particularly keen to hear from folk with disability and/or sales experience to join our team of Employment Consultants - THIS IS NOT AN EASY JOB - you need to be resilient, self sacrificing and have stacks of smarts and even then we only take the best....
We're struggling!
NOVA Needs You!
We are presently engaged in a very significant recruitment drive and are particularly keen to hear from folk with disability and/or sales experience to join our team of Employment Consultants - THIS IS NOT AN EASY JOB - you need to be resilient, self sacrificing and have stacks of smarts and even then we only take the best....
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I need you! Comrades
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Government will scratch it's head, blame the economy, blame people with disability, talk about educating employers and spend money on consultations before coming to the conclusion that people with disability must meet more stringent 'mutual obligations'....
100%
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Profiting from poverty
Profiting from Poverty
I am genuinely horrified by this disaster: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/jul/02/the-demerit-system-is-ruthless-social-policy-designed-to-keep-the-poor-powerless
I believe that we presently represent the job hopes of around 1500 people, in various stages of their progression to independent employment....
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New Contract but no change!
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There are new players and new rules....
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Making a tough job tougher!
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It isnt easy to get a decent job and its harder to do so if you have a disability.
NOVA employs around 190 people, an effective and experienced team who are able to draw upon a staff of highly skilled trainers and a support program honed over almost 30 years and tens of thousands of participants....
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Not so bad! Taken from: Today's Guardian at 4.09pm Tuesday 7th November 2017:
www.theguardian.com/global-development-professionals-network/2016/jun/23/russia-and-the-us-have-the-worst-employment-gaps-for-disabled-people
In a world full of discouragement there’s always a space for good news....
Informed Choice
The NDIS mantra is 'choice and control'
To be valuable, choice needs to be informed.
Since 2010:
Average Sydney Disability Employment Services placement rates are 34....
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