Department’s job search policy spelled out

Press, 3 December 1987, Page 16

Department’s job search policy spelled out

The Department of Labour has explained how it implements its job search policy, following criticism by a correspondent. In a letter to the Editor, C. S. Ginther writes: “I would like to express my concern at the new job search policy that the Labour Department has recently implemented. “It means that anyone currently on the unemployment benefit must apply for 15 jobs within a specified time, gaining the employer’s signature, the date, the job that was applied for, etc. If they do not do this, then their benefit is cut off. "Several weeks ago I applied for several subsidised jobs but was told: ‘Oh you don’t fit the criteria, so you can’t apply.’ No other situations, or advice, was offered by the employment If the Labour Departm«nt itself is so laid back about people jobs how can it SSSgbly expect anyone else Superintendent of < Department. Mr I. N. raises a number gglJljll’iilich I would like to •jffi jfepiiftment of labour’s

employment service offers a range of services designed to assist people who are registered as seeking work. However, the department is not able to accept sole responsibility for placing people into work. Other agencies within the community offer assistance to job seekers and the department also encourages job seekers to undertake their own job search activities. From time to time the department’s employment officers will ask clients to undertake a specific job search programme and then discuss the results of this with the job seeker as part of the development of job search skills. “The Department of Labour does not administer the unemployment benefit; this is done by the Department of Social Welfare. The Department of Labour does not have any ability to ‘cut off the unemployment benefit, Mr Jarvis said. ‘‘Any person who is seeking employment may register with the Department of Labour for assistance. If at any stage a person registered with the department does not wish to continue, to seek work (either as a result of a* Job placement or other reason), then the perqpnis

taken off the job seeker register and the department notifies the Department of Social Welfare accordingly. Any decisions relating to the continuance of that person’s unemployment benefit is made by the Department of Social Welfare.

“The Department of Labour operates a job vacancy bank service for employers. As part of this service the department screens applicants and only refers people who meet the employer’s requirements. This benefits the employer by ensuring that he/she has only a small number of suitably matched applicants to choose from. In addition, it enables applicants who do not meet all the employer’s requirements to be quickly 3d vised. “Although I am not able to comment specifically on the jobs C. S. Ginther unsuccessfully applied for, I would stress that all the department’s clients nave a right to be advised of the specific criteria which they do not “If further information is required, I would invite C. S. Ginther to contact the centre manager of the Department’s High Street office.”