An employment challenge looms as pubs get back to work, finding laid-off workers content to receive the generous JobSeeker allowance rather than return to regular duties.
Pioneering what has become a national policy, Western Australia moved to stage four of restrictions easing over the weekend, allowing one patron per two square metres – effectively doubling the capacity limits for many venues.
But ALH Group WA manager Ric Torchia told The West Australian he is already finding workers declining shifts, favouring the dole payment over 20 hours of work.
Overseeing staff at 27 pubs, he says many are telling him “I’ll come back when JobSeeker ends”.
The special payment of $1,100 per fortnight is a 100% increase on the allowance given prior to the change in April, and Centrelink has also temporarily suspended penalties for recipients not accepting suitable work.
Unlike JobKeeper, where employers are required to inform government if an employee refuses work and subsidies will be suspended, employers are not required to report JobSeeker beneficiaries declining an offer.
Around 1.6 million Australians are currently claiming JobSeeker, which is set to return to $550 a fortnight on 27 September. Many are young people that would not normally have spent time on social security that have been made comfortable receiving the payments due to the exceptional circumstances and sheer number of people requiring support.
The shunning of work comes as the country faces thousands of roles unfilled, normally picked up by backpackers and holders of special visas, who are not here this time.
WA Premier Mark McGowan urged people on JobSeeker to return to employment if it is offered.
“If you can get a job, take it. This is a time when our economy needs you.”
