Union flags national campaign - Fear and loathing grips employment services

The Federal Government's proposed radical overhaul of employment services is causing fear and loathing throughout the employment services sector says the employment services union, the Australian Services Union.

The Union has been overwhelmed with calls from both employers and employees in the job services industry fearful of the impact of government changes and loathing a process which can slash thousands of jobs and destroy essential community services.

Australian Services Union Assistant National Secretary Linda White said the number of distressed calls from employers rivalled those from fearful employees.

"At a time when the employment services industry is coping with a flood of clients flowing from the global financial crisis, the Federal Government has decided to sink some life rafts and scuttle the rescue effort," Ms White said.

The ASU is urging the Federal Government to delay any decision to implement the radical overhaul as employment services are currently stretched to cope with vast numbers of newly unemployed Australians seeking help.

"It may be the worst timed policy announcement we have seen from the Federal Government. If the Government is serious about assisting people from the impact of the global financial crisis, it must immediately delay its decision until the full impact on employment services and jobs is assessed," Ms White said.

The ASU is further concerned that current services provided by many not-for-profit employers effectively pay for other community services like homelessness and drug and alcohol rehabilitation. These community services will lose funding, resulting in service cuts and job losses.

"The sick irony of the Government's proposed changes to funding employment services will be adding thousands of workers to the dole queues while it talks about job protection. It is a consequence the Union is committed to fighting and preventing," Ms White said.

The ASU is today considering a major national campaign to address the changes and seek mechanisms to protect jobs and opportunities for employees.

The ASU is further seeking urgent talks with the Federal Government.

The full version of this article can be found on the Web at:
http://www.asu.asn.au/media/sacs/20090401_jobnetwork.html

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