Working Parents

“We have pointed out many times some of the issues that make it hard for single parents to work,” says Rebecca Occleston, speaker for Beneficiary Advisory Service (BAS) in Christchurch. “However, as the Government has obviously not listened yet, we shall point them out again.

“For a start there just aren’t the jobs there! Many other organisations have pointed this out as well; it is a commonly agreed fact. Some of us who have genuine concerns for our children’s safety, want to take our children to school and pick them up each day. Their safety has to be one of the most important things in the world and is not worth compromising on. For those of us who do this or with other school-related commitments, work would need to be during school hours with flexibility over school holidays and sick days for children. This last one is a real issue for many people, especially for those living in sub-standard housing or ongoing medical conditions of their family. Over the years we have seen so many single parents struggling to hold down even part-time work because they have to take so many days off for these reasons.

“Then there is the issue of the education system. Given the funding schools and Kindys have, they can only work fully with volunteer help from parents. This may be help with reading, religious education, parent-help, sports, driving for school trips, helping out with functions & shows, etc. Many of us are glad to help out, but if all parents worked full-time, there would be no one to perform these duties and the schooling would suffer. There are numerous ways people contribute to the community in a voluntary fashion and this should be celebrated and recognised, not dismissed as trivial.

“Of course, the most important job parents do is to be a parent! This too is not properly recognised by the Government (especially the Ministry of Social Development). Remember, the work parents do includes being a nurse, chauffeur, chef, teacher, playmate, housekeeper, laundry attendant, accountant and babysitter all rolled into one. They have to ensure the child does everything they have to while training them to be individuals. They have to provide a safe home, clothe them, find time for essential shopping, possibly helping with in or out-of-school activities and, if they are lucky, have a moment to themselves at some point. The parent is on-call 24 hours a day for no pay. Most of us don’t grudge this work, but feel a bit miffed when it is not recognised and we are told to ‘go and get a real job’!

“Don’t mistake me, I’m not against single parents working and, should they want to, they should be given all the help and encouragement they need. What I object to is the assumption that they are not working and are therefore not worthy members of our community as this is just plain wrong!

“We agree with Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) when they advocate for higher benefit levels (so everyone in our society can afford their basic needs), that minimum family tax credits (abating dollar-for-dollar) and in-work tax credits are unfairly administered; as the latter should be available to beneficiaries as well. Expecting parents to work so they can receive this when it is just not an option due to lack of work and/or personal circumstances is unrealistic, discriminating and mean.

“And we haven’t even mentioned parents or children with medical or special needs. For some parents their own health, or those of a child genuinely preclude them from working at the moment (or permanently), which is why there is a benefit system to support them. However, this system is inadequate and they, like the rest of us, are being bombarded by messages that we are not doing enough and should have paid-work. Most beneficiaries would LOVE to have paid work, but for some this is not possible due to their situation. For others, as previously mentioned, it is due to a huge lack of jobs available!”

CPAG also point out that many families living in poverty DO have paid work and that this isn’t the solution the Government makes it out to be. The say “The best solution is that, whether incentivising beneficiaries or not, the real income of both beneficiaries and low income earners is increased. This will address child poverty. The lack of political will to achieve this end is disheartening.” We agree.

Rebecca Occleston, Speaker: Beneficiary Advisory Service

Beneficiary Advisory Service is a Christchurch based Community Group who help people on benefits and low incomes with their problems with Work and Income. We are specialists in Welfare Law and provide advice, information, support and advocacy to hundreds of people every year. We can be contactedour website bas.org.nz

ENDS

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