Jobseekers are now required to attend a seminar after six months on the benefit

A job registration requirement for those on Jobseeker’s Benefit starts today.

Anyone deemed ‘job ready’ will have to attend a workshop after six months to assess how their job search is going.

The change is part of a wider “reset” of the welfare system.

Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston said it was a new call from the coalition to make the welfare system more proactive.

If someone misses a seminar without a good reason, they can stop or reduce their benefit.

It would not be mandatory for those with health conditions or disabilities.

When he announced the broader benefits changes in February, Upston said the group checks would be the first step in additional monitoring of the benefits system and would apply to people MSD had the least visibility on — those who didn’t already have a manager. dedicated case. .

On Monday, she said around 190,000 people currently receive jobseeker support and 53,000 of them have employment case managers at any given time.

“I am concerned that the other 137,000 jobseekers could go many months without speaking to MSD about how they are progressing, with some not having to check again until they reapply for their benefit 12 months later.

“Our government is changing this. Six-monthly job checks are based on the new Kōrero Mahi – Let’s Talk job seminars that jobseekers now attend within two weeks of their benefit, starting to plan their next steps in finding work .

“They are a precursor to the coalition government’s plan to introduce mandatory reapplying for Jobseeker’s Support benefits every six months.”

Jobseekers currently have to reapply for support each year.

“These interventions will help jobseekers get back on their feet quickly. MSD will ensure their profiles and CVs are up to date, offer interview advice and direct them to job websites and vacancies or further training.”

The recordings were expected to cost about $1.2 million a year, funded by MSD’s baselines.

The announcement of the benefit sanctions was met with criticism from opposition parties and welfare advocates.

Other additional measures to be implemented included community-based job training, needs assessments, a traffic light system, new non-financial sanctions and actions being taken for those who repeatedly failed to meet their work obligations.

RNZ has reported that people looking for a job are likely to face more competition than they have in years.

The number of job applicants per advertisement is almost three times higher than it was in 2019.

“This government believes that those who can work should work, because having a job is the best way for people to lift themselves and their families out of hardship,” Upston said.

‘Punishment of the poor’

Sanctions seminars will put beneficiaries out of employment, says Green Party.

“The government is more interested in punishing the poor than helping people into good employment,” said Green Party social development spokesman Ricardo Menéndez March.

He said such checks would add to the “negative stigma of being unemployed” and there was no evidence they helped people into work.

“Instead, the government should create more tailored support networks for people to retrain and prepare for job opportunities appropriate to their skill set,” Menéndez March said.