Unemployment and jobs

Press, 31 January 1986, Page 16

Unemployment and jobs

Sir, — The economic violence J. B. Stanton (January 29) would do in reducing the dole (and sickness benefits) to coerce .unemployed persons into ill-paid work is vindictive. As an employer’s representative, he should know that many job advertisements are duplicated in each edition. Many vacancies are for advanced professional or trade positions. No-one can be suited to all jobs. Some employers demand unnecessary qualifications and experience. Some offer utterly derisory wages for jobs of middle levels of skill and responsibility. When even frugal expenses cannot be met such wages are unattractive. Some employers are referring applicants to recent accommodation subsidies; these are tardy and tenuous, and should not be necessary were wages better and prices affordable. The dole is inadequate. Reducing it in quantity and availability leads only to unrest, poverty, ill-health and crime. — Yours, etc., L. M. SLATER. January 29, 1986.

Sir, — If J. B. Stanton (January 29) cares to look at the 403plus job vacancies he counted in “The Press” on Saturday, he would see many if not most vacancies require experience and where is the young schoolleaver supposed to find experience? If J. B. Stanton would try living on the amount of money the dole provides he would soon change his tune and discover that the money does not even provide enough for the basic necessities of life. His comment on people leaving work to go on the dole is very mtich an exception. If the dole is so great why is not everyone on it? — Yours, etc.,

S. C. ROGERS. January 29, 1986.