The jobs guarantee would include accommodations and improve well being
Bill et al. 06 (2006. Anthea Bill -- Senior Health Research Economist, Sally Cowling -- Research Leader in the Not-for-Profit sector, William Mitchell -- SSA's Deputy Commissioner and Victor Quirk -- policy officer at department of jobs, precincts, and regions “Employment Programs for people with psychiatric disabilities: the case for change”) //Don Markos
Under this proposal, the Federal Government would maintain a 'buffer stock' of jobs that would be available to, and suitable for, the targeted group. The JG would be funded by the Commonwealth but organised on the basis of local partnerships between a range of government and non-government organisations. JG workers would receive the Federal minimum award wage and conditions. In order to receive the award wage, those who are eligible would be required to accept a JG job that is compatible with their health and support needs. The 'buffer stock' is designed to be a fluctuating workforce that expands when the level of private sector activity falls and contracts when private demand for labour rises. Instead of forcing workers into unemployment when private demand slumps, the ]G would ensure that workers with psychiatric disability would have immediate access to a public sector job at the safety net wage. Accordingly, workers can maintain an attachment to paid employment and not be forced, by systemic job shortage, into welfare dependency. Data from the CBFT stressed the importance of quick job placement in the attainment of employment outcomes. If a participant had not obtained employment within 12 months of commencing with a disability employment service, there was only an 8 per cent chance of them doing so (Wade and Bell, 2003: 13). Through creative job design, the activities that JG workers perform can enhance both community and individual well being. Activities could include urban renewal projects, the provision of community care and meals services, and environmental schemes such as reforestation and restoring river health. We recognise that a number of people with psychiatric disability face chronic labour market disadvantage due to complex issues such as insecure housing, episodic illness or substance abuse, and poor literacy, numeracy and livingskills. It is thus proposed that JG employment could be taken on a part-time or block basis to accommodate access to support.