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Friday, April 9, 2010
Winz moves early to bring in tough stance on benefits - National - NZ Herald News
Domestic violence cases increasing | http://www.facebook.com/l/32e58;Stuff.co.nz
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Thursday, April 8, 2010
$20 increase not for Unemployment benefit
The $20 increase in allowed earnings from $80 TO $100 per week- promised in National's election policy- will not be permitted for people on unemployment or sickness benefits- only for those on the DPB, widows and invalids benefits.
On top of that many people on invalids benefits have already been transferred to sickness benefits , dropping their incomes by $49 per week.
This follows National's earlier abolition of the Training Incentive Allowance which gave single parents a chance to develop a career.
Worse is to come in October when the official changes come in.(See post: Workers and Beneficiaries Unite Against this Rotten Government .)
These scandalous cuts are a dramatically worsened continuation of a trend already started by Labour with its abolishing of the Special Benefit and hidden benefit cuts inside increased family Support for all, and its intensive case management.
On top of that many people on invalids benefits have already been transferred to sickness benefits , dropping their incomes by $49 per week.
This follows National's earlier abolition of the Training Incentive Allowance which gave single parents a chance to develop a career.
Worse is to come in October when the official changes come in.(See post: Workers and Beneficiaries Unite Against this Rotten Government .)
These scandalous cuts are a dramatically worsened continuation of a trend already started by Labour with its abolishing of the Special Benefit and hidden benefit cuts inside increased family Support for all, and its intensive case management.
Amy Gets Her Pay!
Waitemata Branch member Amy's pay had been owing for nearly three months from a finance company which shares a flash office space on the Auckland waterfront with another finance company and and a right wing politicician. A short visit from Amy and supporters in her branch and the problem was resolved. Amy received her pay!Beneficiaries and Workers Unite Against Cuts!
Unite Waitemata members and supporters demonstrate against benefit cuts at the office of Paula Bennett, Minister of Social Wefare on 27 March 2010.
Beneficiaries and workers unite
Beneficiaries and Workers Unite Against This Rotten Government
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!
Children Protest against Cuts
Children joined their mothers at the Protest outside Paula Bennett's office against attacks on Benefits organised by the Unite Waitemata Branch on 27th March.Protest Against Attacks on Benefits
On 27th March Unite Waitemata Branch organised a protest outside Paula Bennett's office in Henderson against the savage attacks upon beneficiaries by the National Government. About fifty people attended including beneficiaries, single mothers and their children, carers, students, anarcha- feminists, socialists, the Green Party, Unite Union, Living Wage Campaign and Socialism Aotearoa
Unite Flying Picket
Unite Waitemata Secretary Keith (far left) and Living Wage Campaigner Joe (centre) with Living Wage crew on Queen St on April 1st.
25 Cents Won't Pay the Rent
and
Strike Strike -- Strike strike strike! they chanted outside Burger King, MacDonalds and other low paying fast food outlets.
Unite Waitemata Branch members attended a flying picket of low wage food outlets on April 1st, 2010-John Key's a Fool Day.
We picketted MacDonalds, JB Hi Fi, Burger King, Hollywood Cafe, and many others up and down the length of Queen St.
Waitemata Branch members have been very busy supporting the Living Wage Campaign organised by the Unite Union. The campaign aims to raise the minimum wage to at least $15 per hour. Alongside that we need Living Benefits. Beneficiaries and Workers Unite for a living income for all!
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