What does this say about John Howard and his new improved Centrelink?

[foreigncorrespondent]

Today I learned a lot about how the job network system works. I think I learned this because I have a very good relationship going with my new network here in country Victoria.

Firstly, if you are in your first 12 months of being unemployed the Centrelink only gives $300 to the job network, per person. Once that first 12 months is up, then the money really rolls in for each unemployed person. Wouldn't it be better to put the money into getting someone back into the work force rather quickly, rather than making them long term unemployed first?

Secondly, the computer system the job networks use is ridiculous! My case worker told me today that they have to set up the system to receive job notifications for each client they have. This notification comes to them, we can do our own alerts through the jobsearch.gov.au Web site. She asked me how is she expected to do that when she cannot find security, waiter/waitress, and general employment like that, but can find an alert thing for prostitution! I kid you not!!!

So what does that say about Howard?

[Esra Star]

1. I don't know. If they're are in town they may need one?

:evilgrin:

[foreigncorrespondent]

2. Well the office is in...

...Lakes Entrance in Victoria, which is more tourist. Jobs here usually involve hospitality, cleaning, security (the oil rigs are just off shore) check out operators, etc. But apparently this is an Australia wide system?

[Matilda]

3. Hmmm - if I'm reading this correctly,

it would be better for the job networks not to find employment too quickly for people? You're
right - it would make more sense to pay more money early and taper it down, to give the agency more
incentive to get people working quickly.

I have a big problem with the privatisation of Centrelink anyway - it's too much like profiteering
from the misfortune of the unemployed. It should be government-run, not-for-profit.

[foreigncorrespondent]

4. Well to me it would make more sense as well!

Especially in the rural parts of Australia, where there is a lot of unemployment, or like me under-employment.

If I recall correctly it isn't like this in the city. I wasn't unemployed all that long and my last job network in the city poured large amounts of money into getting me back into the work force quickly.

And I agree about the privatization of Centrelink. It really was much better when it was Social Security. Back then there was a hell of a lot more jobs about, so applying for 10 jobs a fortnight was easy. But I am still expected to do that today. I do it, but I have a hell of a lot of trouble doing it. It is especially hard now that I have a casual 3 shift a week job. On top of that, I am now living in the country where I would be lucky if 10 jobs came up in a fortnight for me to apply. I am not applying for jobs I am not qualified to do, but using previous experience to hopefully land it without the needed qualifications.

But in relation to the job networks, I think they do a much better job than what the CES ever did. I never got a quarter of the help from CES like I have received from the job networks.

[Djinn]

5. it says what we've always known

that he's a capitalist who sees no value in anything that can't make money for rich arseholes. Sadly it also says rather a lot about Rudd, who's wife has made an absolute MOTZA out of this scam and while she may have fixed up her underpayment "error" she stills employs people on shitty, non union, individual agreements.

As for the prostitution thing I see no reason it shouldn't come up on JN alerts, it's a legal occupation. No-one says you have to get on the game or lose your benefits, if prostitution isn't your thing then you obviously don't apply for that job. Personally, on the list of jobs I'd rather starve than take, prsotitution is WAY down the line.

[Djinn]

6. it says what we've always known

that he's a capitalist who sees no value in anything that can't make money for rich arseholes. Sadly it also says rather a lot about Rudd, who's wife has made an absolute MOTZA out of this scam and while she may have fixed up her underpayment "error" she stills employs people on shitty, non union, individual agreements.

As for the prostitution thing I see no reason it shouldn't come up on JN alerts, it's a legal occupation. No-one says you have to get on the game or lose your benefits, if prostitution isn't your thing then you obviously don't apply for that job. Personally, on the list of jobs I'd rather starve than take, prsotitution is WAY down the line.

To improve the systems they work with JN workers should unionise. The ASU or CPSU would be more than happy to have them, while they don't, it'll stay crappy.

[canetoad]

7. I wonder if

male job seekers are ever matched with sex-industry jobs?