20 April 2012

Government fails to address drivers of youth unemployment

The youth sector of the Council of Trade Unions, Stand Up, believes the Government’s welfare reform Bill offers no answers to addressing the drivers of youth unemployment and imposes unnecessary punitive measures on young Kiwis.

Spokesperson James Sleep says the Government’s Social Security (Youth Support and Work Focus) Amendment Bill overwhelmingly misses the point by poorly defining the problem facing young generations as an issue with the welfare system, not the obvious lack of opportunities.

“Young people do want to work or study and contribute to society; the problem is the lack of opportunities to do so. We know that when jobs and education opportunities are readily available, youth unemployment declines. This is shown in 2006 when youth unemployment dropped to under 10%. Cracking down on young people who need support from the State is unnecessary and doesn't create jobs or support young people."

Sleep says there are already serious questions about the Government's handling of youth unemployment.

“We were disappointed with news earlier this week that the Government will be cutting funding for the highly successful blueprint 'Workn' It Out' transition service in the South Island that boasts an 80% success rate, while money continues to be poured into boot camps which are not proven to work.”

“In our submission to the Social Services Select Committee this morning, we will be opposing the National Government’s punitive welfare reforms which fail to address a lack of jobs and education opportunities and is keeping young people in the welfare system. We urge Government Ministers and MPs to spend a week with a young unemployed Kiwi before passing this Bill, in order to understand the challenges the Bill fails to address," concludes Sleep.

ENDS