Each week we’re sending out stories of job agencies’ misconduct in your own words, as well as a snapshot of the current situation for unemployed workers and a round-up of the key issues from our hotline. This past week we’ve seen an increase in unemployed workers calling about payment suspensions – let us know if and how you have been punished by the unfair demerit point system on our forum. Also, submissions to the senate enquiry into jobactive close on the 28th of September so please fill out our survey as soon as you can!
JOB AGENCY IS NOT ACTUALLY THERE TO HELP YOU FIND WORK
I was just at another pointless interview with my job agency, Max Employment. They are now making me come in to job search on their computers, even though the website doesn’t work and won’t allow me to log in, even though they have tried to reset it more than once. After complaining to the consultant that there was no need to have me come in to job search when I was meeting all the requirements using my computer at home, and also that all the interviews I have managed to get I have done on my own, I was advised that they weren’t there to help me get a job but to make sure I fulfilled all the requirements…
My friend, after having to go through his life savings before he could get the dole, was “found a job” by Nortec. They tried to break him in the first two days making him work outdoors in 40 degree heat, whiper snipping. He worked straight for so many hours he was throwing up and almost fainting through dehydration…
So I’ve just been forced onto a job plan with two hours per day in-person attendance at the job agency. It was insinuated that this was compulsory and that my benefit would be cancelled if I refused…
I was unemployed for 4.5 years after becoming redundant when my boss retired and sold his business in October 2012. I had worked for him as admin assistant in a small accounting firm for almost 12 years before he retired. I had no idea however how hard it would be to find another job, even though I was in my late 30s and suffered from anxiety and depression. I stupidly thought that my Job Service Provider would help me to find another job…
If you’ve complained to the Department of Jobs and Small Business about your job agency and they’ve failed to take it seriously, contact the Commonwealth Ombudsman on 1300 362 072.
Unable to get through to Centrelink? We encourage you to Contact Keenan, the minister for Human Services, and your local MP.
Report the Rort: Join the forum to report and discuss your stories of job agency abuse.
Dump your Demerits: Download our campaign leaflet to ensure that you and your loved ones understand your job agency’s new powers. Hand them out to other unemployed workers at your job agency.
HOTLINE REPORT:
The top issues recorded by our advocacy team on the hotline in the last week were:
Payment suspension/financial penalty (50% of calls) and
Too many job agency appointments (33% of calls).
UNEMPLOYMENT SNAPSHOT:
Newstart: $355.72 per fortnight below the poverty line.
The AUWU is an entirely volunteer-run organisation – we survive off your donations. AUSTRALIAN UNEMPLOYED WORKERS’ UNION INC BSB: 633 000 ACCOUNT NUMBER: 154665681
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