How do we solve the unemployment crisis?

[rov1100]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-15271800

With millions lanquishing on the dole drawing unemployment and housing benefit how can they be put to better use?

Many have suggested they do some community service. The objectors say because they are being rewarded with less than the minimum wage it is a form of cheap labour.

There is a way round this! The amount paid to the claimant should be used to calculate the number of hours doing community service based on the minimum wage.

So if a claimant received say £140 p.w. based on approx £7 hour minimum wage he would need to do 20 hours community service/week.

We already have communiuty services up and running at the momjent: they could join these.

[Kromovaracun]

Actually, there is a genuine problem with technology causing unemployment. If you ask me, it's going to become one of the defining paradoxes of the modern world:

http://www.economist....raceagainstthemachine

[sp1814]

Kromovaracun

It's been pretty much a problem in different industries since the industrial revolution. The technological changes in farming in the 18th and 19th centuries meant that people came into the city for work...then heavy industry became lighter as technology moved on...been happening for centuries.

Computers are just the latest in a long line of technological evolutions doing us out of work!

[jake-the-peg]

So you're proposing a nationalised service industry?

I didn't think you right wingers liked Nationalised industry

[Old_Geezer]

Ah but the figures don't add up. At any snapshot one find the 'situation vacant' total is greater than the 'unemployed' total. (And that's not even considering the size of the wage offered and working conditions that may make some job offers unacceptable.) There seems to be a reasonable consensus these days that full employment isn't achievable with the present system, so there may be work out there, but not enough for all.

[Kromovaracun]

@sp: I agree - that's, broadly speaking, my point. I did originally post a quote from NJ which I was trying to counter (his argument about computers), but AB seems to have eaten it.

[erin-x]

Just going to say that not all people on the dole are there because they "can't be bothered". I've been on the dole since finishing college and have applied for countless jobs, all of which seem to go to people with tons of experience. No wonder young people get lazy, no one seems to want to give them a chance to prove themselves! I've had 3 interviews in the past two days with another two next week. I'm not being cocky but I feel that I proved myself completely in those interviews. I'm not giving up hope by any means but I wont be surprised if they do choose someone 10 years older than me.

[Matheous-2]

If I was an employer- I certainly would favour those who had been involved in any type of voluntary service rather than yer lazy ar**d waste of space who had only made the effort to collect his or her benefit!

[Kromovaracun]

@erin - just thought I'd say I empathise. To slide briefly into anecdote, I was working as a temp over the summer. I managed to get some placements after no end of trying, and on one of them I managed to sneak a peek at the CV of the woman who they'd ultimately chosen me over*: She had about 15 years business experience and had also been a PA to some kind of exec for years. This was for a crummy minimum-wage temporary receptionist job...

*And not because I'm anything special - it was pure luck. The recruiter had been with my agency in the past and just hired me because she liked them.

[rov1100]

Anyone who knows the history of how the job centre worked would be amazed. For those unemployed for over 6 months the only option available was to join a work scheme, which the government organized, to do a whole weeks supervised work and get the pricely sum of £10 added to their benefit. This may have been OK for those receiving high benefits but those on the minimum benefit it was no better than slave labour,

A scheme where you contribute your free time is much fairer when related to the benefit you receive.