Issue
Write on: letters to the editor
Write on: letters to the editorUnemployment Federal elections must be looming! The latest make-work scheme is receiving a concerted push, at least in Adelaide. New Work Opportunities (NWO) are supposed to help long-term unemployed people obtain work experience in order to enable them to re-enter the work force: 26 weeks in an environmental or local human service area. The scheme has apparently been endorsed by the ACTU, which seems to mean that union consultation has occurred. Participants are meant to receive some training but it is generally being sold as "free" labor to the organisations that take them on. In reality, in SA schools we have seen the Liberal government cutting jobs with one hand and local Principals accepting NWO's with the other. This is a very dangerous strategy for undermining existing permanent jobs and replacing them with low paid short term substitutes. It is unfair for the people on the mickey mouse training scheme who will be unlikely to obtain genuine ongoing employment. It is unfair for the public sector workers who are having their permanent positions slashed by the state government. It is unfair for the students and community who expect a consistent education system. The State Liberal government blames the previous ALP government for all their public sector cuts, but appears willing to accept the current Federal ALP donations for cheap labor in its place. Neither government have any real concern for long term planning and community needs.
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