The NZCCSS supports the development of an employment strategy that meets the following minimum standards:

is voluntary;

does not contain the threat of losing entitlement to income support;

provides paid work experience opportunities based on decent and productive work with fair wages and working conditions;

provides opportunities for individualised, integrated and holistic support to unemployed people, enabling them to overcome barriers to employment and improve their ability to compete for available jobs;

provides additional financial assistance for job seekers to meet the costs of obtaining a job and making the transition to paid work, for example transport, clothing and childcare;

provides training opportunities which meet the individual needs of unemployed people and contributes to the development of a skilled and adaptable workforce;

enhances the life and dignity of unemployed people;

provides adequate income support to unemployed people

recognises and supports the unpaid contribution of voluntary workers, people with disabilities, older people, and those raising children and caring for older people;

does not displace existing jobs or undermine wage rates and conditions of existing jobs;

respects employment, health and safety standards;

is part of a broad economic strategy which ensures jobs that provide a living wage as an outcome;

does not threaten the ethic of volunteerism or the relationship between the not-for-profit sector and the people they exist to serve;

fully funds voluntary organisation infrastructure costs associated with placements for unemployed people, for example supervision and training;

is adequately resourced;

incorporates appeal rights to an independent and impartial tribunal for people cut off or denied benefits, and a conciliation process to discover reasons for non-participation and protect clients from unwarranted benefit terminations;

is adequately monitored and evaluated.

Source "Workfare - a discussion paper" (October 1997) by Karen Adams, Research and Information Officer of NZCCSS

See also Poverty or Dependency
And also Alarming Trends