Luke Kirkness: Is it now too easy for people not to work?

Are people keen to find a job? It appears not in Rotorua at least. Photo / Andrew Warner

OPINION

Two cities only an hour apart but in some ways polar opposites.

But when it comes to the labour crisis, Rotorua and Tauranga are facing similar challenges.

As we reported on Monday, in the Western Bay, employers are struggling to fill positions and are forced to redirect staff into different roles.

In Rotorua, a recruiter says the majority of job applicants are failing to show up for interviews.

In some cases, people paid for work with no skills required were quitting because the work was too hard and they would rather be on the dole at home.

It comes hard on the heels of increased vacancies and a labour shortage that has created a market that favours job hunters.

However, a recruiter in Rotorua said 70 per cent of applicants looking for work were no-shows at interviews.

A month ago, the woman attended a Ministry for Social Development forum which said there were 9600 people on benefits.

In her view, there were no consequences for MSD clients who didn't go to job interviews.
I tend to agree, especially as the impact of Covid-19 rages on and continues to hamper many hard-working individuals.

Are we being too soft when it comes to handing out the benefit? Is it too easy for people not working — and refusing to do so — to be rewarded?

It looks that way, in my view.

The problem is not every case is the same, with a plethora of factors from mental to physical impairments affecting people's ability to work.

Reading about people being reluctant to work might make your blood boil. It raised my temperature, too.

However, I mostly felt sadness.

I come from a household of two hard-working parents, common characteristics of those who want to do the best for their loved ones.

And while I love to be lazy at times, my parents' work ethic has rubbed off on me, but I realise plenty of other people aren't as blessed as I am.

There are a lot of people and organisations working to help people in unfortunate circumstances but the wheel keeps on turning.

It's cliche to admit but the biggest changes come from within.

Maybe it's time to reassess the situation around the benefit and those who can receive it.

By doing so, some people might get the kick up the backside they need to spring to action.