| Log In | Register Now
April 21, 2010 3:19 AM EDT
The idea of a proposed banning of dole for young people by Opposition Leader Tony Abbott was criticized by the mining sector and several unions.
Last Monday, Mr. Abbott suggested to mining industry leaders in a meeting that banning the dole for people under 30 will help fill massive skills shortages in the resource sector.
Mr. Abbott further explained that slashing dole payments could help take the pressure off the welfare system and put jobseekers into sectors where there are skill shortages, such as mining in Western Australia and Queensland.
However, Mr. Abbott's idea was condemned by other industry players, stating that cutting off dole payments could mean disaster.
Paul Howes, national secretary of Australian Workers Union, told Australian newspapers today that Mr. Abbott's plan will not help solve skill shortage.
Follow us
"If he genuinely thinks you are going to solve an economically crippling skills shortage by taking punitive measures against welfare recipients, he has clearly never lived in the real world," he said.
Steven Smyth, a representative of Construction Forestry Mining and Energy Union, disagrees with Mr. Abbott's proposed plan. He said unskilled workers should not be forced to work in the mining industry without proper training and skills.
Kevin Wealand of Downing Teal said the mining sector is in a critical stage as it lacks manpower. Still, he stressed that putting unskilled workers in dangerous projects are risky.
"Mining is inherently a dangerous business ... to take anyone who's absolutely unskilled and say 'there's a job in the resource sector' would be contentious," Wealand said.
We value your privacy. Your email address will not be shared.
