Plan to employ workers over 50 fails to create single job in Tasmania NOT a single job has been created in Tasmania under a Federal Government program that pays employers $10,000 to take on a worker over 50. The $524 million Restart program, which has been available from July 1, has so far created less than 30 jobs across Australia — in NSW, Queensland Victoria and South Australia. And none in Tasmania. The slow start to the program comes as the Coalition seeks to establish work-for-the-dole for people aged 50-59 under its 2015 jobs model. In an indication of the difficulty in creating local employment, the Tasmanian Jobs program also has got off to a slow start. The program, that pays employers $3250 to employ someone who has been unemployed for six months, has resulted in 65 jobs. Meanwhile, a spokeswoman for Employment Minister Eric Abetz said yesterday a co-ordinator for the Tasmanian work-for-the-dole programs was yet to be appointed. In launching the program in early July, assistant Employment Minister Luke Hartsuyker said 2000 Tasmanians would work for the dole at a cost of $14.9 million in 2014-15. West and North-West Tasmania was one of 18 areas across Australia to have work-for-the-dole programs starting from July 1, 2014. Under existing arrangements, job seekers under 30 will be required to work for the dole for 15 hours a week. However, under the Coalition Government’s 2015 jobs model, under 30s would be required to do 25 hours a week and 50-59 year olds 15 hours. It has also stipulated that jobseekers apply for 40 jobs a month which, as revealed by theMercury this week, has sparked concerns among small businesses, who say they will be swamped with applications. It also sparked a strong response from readers, with themercury.au inundated with complaints and concerns the scheme was unworkable.
Posted on: Sat, 02 Aug 2014 00:42:15 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015