[Question] Work for your handout

[Marq]

UK jobless may have to work for benefits
Reuters | Monday, 21 July 2008

The long-term unemployed could be forced to work for their benefit payments under plans for the biggest reform of the welfare system in 60 years, the government said.

Now here's a plan to start turning the unemployment scenario around.

Does a government grant mean you are effectively a government employee?
If this was introduced in SA - Do you think there would be a marked decrease in the grant claims?

[Dave A]

Normally the question is what do you get them to do?

[Chrisjan B]

Normally the question is what do you get them to do?

Sweep the streets or working in hospitals and NPO's may be an idea.

[Dave A]

I really like the "working for NPOs" idea.

Sweeping streets and working in hospitals sounds good, but I wonder...
Wouldn't that be taking up posts that should be paid employment opportunities?

[Marq]

I think the UK are looking mainly at Cleaning positions but I am sure if they get this off the ground there are plenty of other things to do:

• Fixing potholes
• Maintaining parks and sidewalks (I know ours in Durban can do with a haircut & cleanup)
• Someone to run the country......

[Marq]

Wouldn't that be taking up posts that should be paid employment opportunities?

I think there is constant shortage of staff in all areas. We are constrained by finances and management of resources - so we should be able to find a space for them as long as they can be managed.

My concern would be that they go on strike and demand better grant money and then if it is not managed properly the regular workforce down tools in true SA community spirit and we are worse off than before.

Do you think it would be similar to giving money to the beggar on the street corner? He says he will work but when you ask him to come along and perform there is a total reluctance. Why work for your money when you can just ask others to contribute.

I think if something is demanded in return for the grant, there will be three scenarios:-

• A group that will be grateful to be given some meaning to life and motivation to achieve again.
• A group that will just do it because they need to survive.
• A group that will just stop claiming and obtain money via other sources.

Identify the first group and we have a potential workforce that are maybe trained already or are trainable and could be future stars.

[Alta Murray]

Excellent reply!! I was discussing pretty much the same thing in the fall of capitalism thread. So at least one has tried to offer a beggar a job too

I can only agree with your take on things here, spot on!

[Dave A]

There are some sharp cookies around here

[duncan drennan]

I really like the "working for NPOs" idea.

I love this too - it is like a constant investment of that money, rather than a constant expense.