Month of November

[wight1984]

Diary: Social Stuff

Comments

[black_rainbow_]

I am referring to the workshy long term unemployed here, not the ones who genuinely are looking for work before anybody starts! :p

Long term unemployed people need to drop this attitude of 'being too good' for certain jobs, especially if they aren't particularly skilled in anything as such or want a certain career.

You realise SOME long term unemployed people claim JSA without the intention of looking for work? Just so they get an extra £200 a month? To me, that is scrounging and I am more than happy to see these lazy people having to do something to earn their cash. Why should people work their bloody asses off to pay taxes for those who cannot be bothered to work?

When I became unemployed for 2 months, I applied for all sorts of jobs because I was bloody desperate to work. I feel my life is pointless if I am not doing something. I have a degree but theres bugger all jobs out there for what I am qualified in. But I still want to earn some money in the meantime til my opportunity comes my way. I have taken a chambermaid job. I probably wouldn't have considered it before but because I was bloody desperate to become employed again, I wasn't fussy. And you know what? I don't actually mind the job! Luckily, I have been offered a teaching position now which I should start in the new year. If during my two months of unemployment I had to work 8 hours a week to 'earn' my JSA, I would have been more than happy to. It looks far better on a CV in regards to the unemployment gap than just doing 'nothing'.

Trouble is, people seem so happy to take without giving anything back.

[wight1984]

I think everyone is aware that there are people who attempt to abuse the system. I think what some people are wary of is wrecking the system for those who aren't trying to abuse it in order to address benefit fraud. Whatever we implement has to work well for people who genuinely need some help; I don't think the priority is to exclude those who don't.

As I've said elsewhere, I do have sympathy for the idea that an out-of-work accountant/whatever, especially when in long-term unemployment, shouldn't really be able to justify not working/doing community service on the basis that they're 'too good for the job'. I can see the argument that it seems like a waste of job skills but if the work isn't there then it isn't there.

I'm not sure that I'm a big fan of the idea of compulsory community service as a solution however. I do definitely think that people on benefits should be rewarded for such things (and they certainly shouldn't be blocked from doing them) but I think it kind of misses the point of a welfare system (which is essentially about entitlements, not earnings).

Mind you, I'm still sympathetic to the idea of just having a flat citizens income and being done with it. Little bureaucracy, little opportunity for benefit fraud and doesn't reduce the appeal of working. Not going to happen any time soon though.