Unemployment in Australia
Problem – Unemployment in Australia has always been an issue, however recently the unemployment rate had hit 5.6% (Tradingeconomics.com, 2018). Less people are looking for jobs and more people are choosing to receive payment as “job-seekers” from The Centrelink Master Program (Centrelink). This then has a negative impact on Australia through the lens of tourists and immigrants. As Australia grows in population and continually receives immigrants, less jobs are becoming available and the more unemployment rises. More people are being hired as casuals these days which greatly reduces costs for the companies but is bad for the employees. This means they don’t have to pay workers vacation days, sick days and there’s no guarantee of work hours. The more casuals are working and the less permanent workers are hired, the more the unemployment rate will rise. Since casuals have no permanent contract, they can be let go easier and replacements can be hired faster. The unemployment rate needs to drop and more Australians need to be hired so that we have a better economy for the sake of the country. Centrelink should be able to find “job-seekers” suitable work so that they can pass those skills to their children rather than paying them to stay at home.
Context – We live in a society where it is easy to become a “doll bludger” and let the good working Australians pay for you to stay at home and not even attempt to find a job. This has become somewhat more popular in less fortunate suburbs and have earned a bad reputation. That reputation for residents of those suburbs/cities has a negative impact on the children growing up there, as they see an easy way to earn money without having to work for it. As this spreads to more cities, the unemployment rates rise and tax prices for the working community increase to pay for the ” doll bludgers’ ” Centrelink payments. If the Australian government were to significantly decrease the pay rates of the unemployed, it would certainly have a bad reception, but will ultimately force them to actively look for a job and become employed. Then there is the view from the unemployed. They may not be able to work because of injury, old age, having to look after younger children or maybe they are actively looking but do not have the necessary skills to become employed. From their perspective, it would be unfair to have payments decreased and force them to seek work when they may not be able to. However, a majority of the unemployed are physically able to work and have the basic skills required, but decide against working and to stay at home. This gives the real people unable to work, a bad name and reputation.
Realities – Obviously a person would want to get paid for staying at home and not have to get up at 7am every morning and go to a job they don’t like just to earn more money. However, more and more people are doing so and the economy is getting worse. The demand for qualified workers is high but there are less qualified workers being employed because many people find it hard to learn the skills they need. A part of receiving payment from Centrelink as a job-seeker requires you to actively search for jobs to ensure money isn’t going to waste and the government can have more people in the workforce. But the reality is that nobody wants to try if there’s an easier way to earn money. Opting to become a “doll bludger” is becoming more and more popular, and soon Australia will have less Australians working in it and more immigrants taking those opportunities. I’m not saying I don’t like immigrants, (both my grandparents and parents are immigrants) but if Australians don’t take up jobs that are just waiting to be filled, someone else will and Australia will become lazier and less motivated, leading to even higher unemployment rates.
Actors – The unemployed want to continue receiving payments, however if too many people use this as an “easy way out”, those who actually need it will suffer. If someone is capable of working and has the basic skills for a position, they should be pressured into taking that job rather than the government allowing them to decline it and continue receiving unemployment payments.
The employed public that earn money and have tax taken from their salary that goes towards people that can’t be bothered finding a job, can get very upset and angry. They are earning money by putting in effort and time to feed their children, while “doll bludgers” sit there and take their money they worked hard for. If the money was genuinely going towards people who physically can’t work, I believe they wouldn’t be too angry, but when they see it goes to less deserving people, I can understand the frustration.
The government is also in a very difficult position because if they were to take sides with either party, they would face backlash from the other. I personally believe there should be a larger incentive for the unemployed to find a job. If the government were to take assessments of the unemployed and see what they could do and what skills they possess, it could allow them to find a job faster and better suited to their needs.
Tensions – If the government of Australia were to lower pay rates for the unemployed, they would immediately face backlash and criticism from everyone. Even the employed will give their two-cents for various reasons such as they may have parents who are unable to work because of their conditions but aren’t able to apply for retirement yet. Because of these reasons and how much of a fuss all the paperwork will be, I believe the government finds it easier to just turn a blind eye to it all and allow it to continue. Also the backlash they will face from all sides will probably force them to revert their decision in the end.
Problem definition – If the problem of unemployment were to be resolved, Australia would have a booming economy, more workers, better demeanour and overall would be a better place to live. If there are less unemployed, there will be more competition which in turn means a better workforce that are more competent and efficient in their jobs. The more people working in a family, the more income it provides. This would mean a much better quality of life and perspective of Australia as a whole. Having a lower unemployment rate in a country is usually better for everything and has a positive impact on all aspects.
Concepts – Ensuring everyone has equal and easy access to necessary training required for jobs can be one way to lower unemployment. Creating a big push to get everyone who is able to work to actively find a job or informing them that if they do not show they are looking for work and they are just “doll bludging”, there will be big penalties. Another way to resolve this problem would be to lower payment rates from Centrelink to those unemployed who are physically able to work and possess the skills required for a job.
References
Tradingeconomics.com. (2018). Australia Unemployment Rate | 1978-2018 | Data | Chart | Calendar. [Online] Available at: https://tradingeconomics.com/australia/unemployment-rate [Accessed 15 Aug. 2018].
EMRE ALTINDAL 