By CAMERON LUCADOU-WELLS
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JOB seekers’ hopes were buoyant at the federal government’s Jobs and Skills expo at Dandenong Market last Thursday.
That same day, it was announced that Victoria’s unemployment rate had jumped from 5.5 per cent to 5.8 per cent in March. As of December, Dandenong’s unemployment rate was 11 per cent.
Nevertheless, Sean Almeida of Narre Warren South picked over his options from a ‘jobs board’ with more than 750 potential jobs. He was interested in the call for Victoria Police protective service officer recruits.
A creative painter and former chef, he said he was getting casual work doing food demonstrations at shopping centres but the work was not constant.
He was resisting his job-search agency’s insistence that he take disability services work. “The job market is very tough. I want to find something that interests me.”
But living on Newstart allowance is also tough. Singles with children get $529.80 a fortnight; those without children get $489.70.
Mr Almeida said it was just enough to afford food and bills, but impossible to get a loan for a new car. Other job hopefuls such as Workineh Dinsa Alamo said the allowance did not even cover the $1100 monthly rent for a home for his family of five. Mr Alamo, of Noble Park, hasn’t found work since he arrived in Australia from Ethiopia seven months ago.
A former primary school teacher who speaks English and two other languages, he said his English pronunciation and a lack of specific training were hampering his efforts.
Sue Lumley, a 55-year-old former chef of Cranbourne, said it was tough finding a new career at her age.
Clutching onto notes of two potential aged-care vacancies, she said: “But I don’t let it get me down.”
Empathy, but no cash, for hard times
FEDERAL Human Services Minister Kim Carr is under no illusions how hard it is for jobseekers.
He knows the figures: 13 unemployed people for every job vacancy in Dandenong.
And he knows it’s hard to survive on Newstart: $529.80 a fortnight for a single person with children.
Mr Carr said the south-east region had creative and resilient people who could turn it around, but it was also up to governments to “make things better” for the community.
He would not comment on whether the federal government would respond to calls for a higher Newstart allowance in this year’s budget.
“I acknowledge how hard it is for unemployed people. Things are very, very tough.” He said the government’s priority was to get unemployed people into work.
■ Last week, the state opposition launched the first step of a ‘jobs plan’, writing to 240 groups including unions, business groups and municipal councils for suggestions.
