Unite Waitemata Branch held a protest outside Paula Bennett’s office, Saturday 11 am, 27 March
429 Great North Rd, Henderson, against the National Government's attacks upon beneficiaries.
The National Government plans to force all single mothers into part time work, once their children are six. Those on Unemployment benefit who fail work tests will have their benefits halved or stopped. Sickness benefits are to be re-assessed and hardship grants are to be tightened. All benefits are to be stopped after one year and must be re applied for.
And even before these measures officially come about, National has already been forcing people off the Invalids Benefit and onto Sickness Benefits-where they lose $49 per week!
These measures show a “disturbing lack of empathy” towards those who cannot work or who can only work part time while on a benefit” (Child Poverty Action Group). It is simply not appropriate for all mothers on the DPB to be forced into outside work when their child reaches a particular age. Mothering is work, and must be fully supported by society. Family needs vary and it must be the mother’s decision when she undertakes paid work.
The attacks upon benefits are part of the government’s agenda make its capitalist friends rich at our expense. In a time of rising unemployment it is absurd to bring in measures that force beneficiaries to work in order to qualify for a benefit. It’s work for the dole by another name.
The government is trying to to whip up sexist, racist, beneficiary -bashing sentiments; to get support for its greedy and heartless attacks upon our livelihoods. It tries to divide the “deserving” poor-eg widows, against the “undeserving” eg single mothers.
It is also trying to divide non beneficiaries (those who rely on paid work as their main income) against beneficiaries (those whose main source of income is a benefit). In fact our interests are the same: we all need living incomes-whether in the form of wages, benefits, accommodation supplements; student allowances, pensions, family support etc or any combination of these.
In today’s economy many workers rely on state support at times, and many beneficiaries also do paid work. When benefits rise, so do wages.
Workers and Beneficiaries Unite for a Living Income for All! Raise the Minimum Wage to at least $15 per hour! Raise all Benefits to a living income! Say no to punitive Benefit Threats and Cuts! End Child poverty NOW! Say No to youth rates!
We won’t pay for their crisis! Make the bosses pay! I
Issued by the acting President of the Waitemata Branch of Unite!
Tel: (Secretary) 8369104 txt: (President) 021 2166937
Unite! is a community union for low paid workers, students and beneficiaries
If you want to take part of more actions against these cuts get in touch!
Join Unite Waitemata Branch!
