Comments on: In search of a new welfare state http://progressive-governance.net/in-search-of-a-new-welfare-state/ Responses to the global crisis: charting a progressive path Tue, 19 Jan 2010 20:33:37 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: Diana Lee-Gobbitt http://progressive-governance.net/in-search-of-a-new-welfare-state/comment-page-1/#comment-39 Diana Lee-Gobbitt Wed, 01 Apr 2009 22:13:32 +0000 http://wordpress.pentri.co.uk/policynetwork/?p=57#comment-39 Could we also include Senior people who need to support their single government senior pension with part time hours because the Australian single senior pension is inadequate especially where single people have to pay private rental. There is a Table of Income Threshold - if you earn more than $138 gross per fortnight, you lose 40c in the $ over and above that from your earned income. This is a disincentive for older citizens reliant on the Australian Government Pension to return to some form of employment which will socially be good for them as well as keeping better health within the community. The British system of NICs - National Insurance Contributions is not in place in Australia and should be. This is not a tax - it is a contribution made by everyone and earns interest over time. This guarantees the British pension is just that - if you return to some form of employment as an older person in UK you keep all of your pension and PAYE as normal on what you earn. If you are a young person on the unemployment benefit but also take on some hours, the same Table of Income Threshold applies ie $138 gross before 40cents in the $ is deducted over and above that figure. It is generally assumed younger individuals will not be out of full employment for too long - But this is definitely going to change with the downturn globally. A combination of your idea plus the British and Australian model could be helpful. Thank you for your views and suggestions in amliorating these challenges. Best wishes - Diana Lee-Gobbitt Could we also include Senior people who need to support their single government senior pension with part time hours because the Australian single senior pension is inadequate especially where single people have to pay private rental.

There is a Table of Income Threshold – if you earn more than $138 gross per fortnight, you lose 40c in the $ over and above that from your earned income. This is a disincentive for older citizens reliant on the Australian Government Pension to return to some form of employment which will socially be good for them as well as keeping better health within the community.

The British system of NICs – National Insurance Contributions is not in place in Australia and should be. This is not a tax – it is a contribution made by everyone and earns interest over time. This guarantees the British pension is just that – if you return to some form of employment as an older person in UK you keep all of your pension and PAYE as normal on what you earn.

If you are a young person on the unemployment benefit but also take on some hours, the same Table of Income Threshold applies ie $138 gross before 40cents in the $ is deducted over and above that figure. It is generally assumed younger individuals will not be out of full employment for too long – But this is definitely going to change with the downturn globally.

A combination of your idea plus the British and Australian model could be helpful.

Thank you for your views and suggestions in amliorating these challenges.

Best wishes – Diana Lee-Gobbitt

]]> By: H.s http://progressive-governance.net/in-search-of-a-new-welfare-state/comment-page-1/#comment-8 H.s Sat, 21 Mar 2009 11:40:38 +0000 http://wordpress.pentri.co.uk/policynetwork/?p=57#comment-8 Let me express an additional idea, regarding part-time workers. Part - time employment could be equal with part-time unemployment. So, it would be a good idea, to subsidize part-timers (or part-unemployed) in order to support their income. Keep in mind, that in many labour markets,especially in high-dual labor markets, part - time jobs are not an alternative choice for workers, but they are an unavoidable opportunity (especially for young workers). So, a different institutional treatment of part-timers/part unemployed would be an effective welfare support. Without doubt, the economic crisis limits the possibilities for such policies. But, in "good tmes" this would be a progressive choice to support those people who at this moment bear the burden of the crisis (especially women, young workers...) What is your opinion? Let me express an additional idea, regarding part-time workers.
Part – time employment could be equal with part-time unemployment. So, it would be a good idea, to subsidize part-timers (or part-unemployed) in order to support their income.
Keep in mind, that in many labour markets,especially in high-dual labor markets, part – time jobs are not an alternative choice for workers, but they are an unavoidable opportunity (especially for young workers).

So, a different institutional treatment of part-timers/part unemployed would be an effective welfare support.

Without doubt, the economic crisis limits the possibilities for such policies. But, in “good tmes” this would be a progressive choice to support those people who at this moment bear the burden of the crisis (especially women, young workers…)

What is your opinion?

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