CARITAS AOTEAROA NEW ZEALAND

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18 May 2010

What Is "Suitable" Work? Welfare Changes Beg The Question

A definition of "suitable" work is required before further progress is made on extending work testing and benefit sanctions to domestic purpose and sickness beneficiaries, says Catholic social justice agency Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand in a submission on the Social Assistance (Future Focus) Bill.

A combined delegation from Caritas and the Society of St Vincent de Paul today told the Social Services Select Committee that the Future Focus policy appears to believe that beneficiaries can be easily separated into black and white categories of work-ready or non-work-ready. However Caritas and Catholic agencies working with beneficiaries believe the decision to move into paid work is far more complex.

Caritas research and advocacy coordinator Lisa Beech, says for sole-parent beneficiaries there is a great deal of difference between considering work options which fall inside or outside school hours; childcare and holiday programmes may or may not be available, and other factors such as availability of transport and support for sick children need to be taken into account.

"Our experience is that often case managers are well aware of the particular circumstances that require different outcomes for different beneficiaries, but often feel pressured by departmental expectations and pressure to move people inappropriately off benefits," says Lisa Beech.

Caritas sought an assurance from National before the 2008 election that sole parents would not be required to accept work outside school hours, nor Māori to move from their papakainga to accept work. Despite a verbal assurance from then National welfare spokesperson Judith Collins this would be the case, Caritas was unable to secure that commitment in writing, and these matters are not specifically included in the policy or legislation.

Caritas and the Society of St Vincent de Paul told the Select Committee that they come from rich tradition of working with and alongside the poorest members of society in social justice and social service work. “Concern for the poor and for social inequalities is not envy,” Lisa Beech told the Select Committee. “It is being a good neighbour, it is good citizenship, and above all it is respect for the common good, which is the good of each and every one of us.”

The written Caritas submission notes that current economic circumstances do not justify the anti-beneficiary rhetoric which accompanied the announcement of the policy. "The punitive rhetoric that some beneficiaries need a ‘kick in the pants’ and that ‘the dream is over’ stigmatises many people who are suffering the consequences of economic forces beyond their control.”

Caritas welcomes positive aspects of the Bill, including the increase in earnings before abatement and the linking of benefit increases to the CPI. However, Caritas is deeply concerned about the lack of consultation and participation with beneficiary and church groups in the development of this policy, as well as in the composition of the recently announced Welfare Working Group.

"The Minister has indicated to the media that people denied benefits under sanctions will be referred to the Salvation Army. If Church agencies are expected to be the safety net beneath the safety net, what consultation, discussion and consideration of capacity has taken place?"

Anne-Marie McCarten, Chief Executive of the Society of St Vincent de Paul, told the Select Committee that the Society’s 160 groups would struggle to respond to an increase in referrals from Work and Income. The work of Church social service agencies is a complement to, rather than a substitute for, government systems. A comment from one Christchurch member was read to the Committee: “The big stick approach will drive people to charitable welfare organizations to pick up the pieces…We would not be able to cope with any upsurge as a result of poorly considered legislation that will penalize genuine beneficiaries.”

Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand is a member of Caritas Internationalis, a confederation of 165 Catholic aid, development and social justice agencies active in over 200 countries and territories.

ENDS.

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