> -----Oorspronkelijk bericht----- > Van: John D. Giorgis [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] > Verzonden: maandag 21 januari 2002 23:26 > Aan: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Onderwerp: RE: Corruption in a Democracy
> >> >What makes you believe that someone could live comfortably off > >> >Unemployment Benefits? > >> > >>Because they sitting around playing Civ III? > > > >That does not mean they can live comfortably off Unemployment > >Benefits. > > Jeroen - the point is that unemployment benefits should require some > sort of work contribution: such as public service, or demonstrated > effort in finding another job. Both of those requirements would be > much more efficient than the condition-free unemployment benefits that > are typical in most Western Countries today. Can you back that claim with facts? I would really like to see the regulations in the various countries that Unemployment Benefits (UB) are condition-free. Because, quite frankly, I do not believe such regulations exist. I do not know exactly how things are done in other countries, but I can tell you how it is done in The Netherlands. When you are unemployed, you have to make an effort to find a job. Every four weeks you have to submit a form (usually in person) on which you state any income you have had during that period, and what you did to find a job. If you do not meet the requirements (a minimum of eight efforts per four-week period), you will get a penalty. Not enough effort: no money. To get UB in the first place, you need to register with the Labour Bureau (their job: get *you* a job). You do not have to accept everything they offer you, but if you develop a habit of turning down jobs you would be qualified for, you could lose your UB. The organisation you get your UB from will also point you to job opportunities. Their policy (IIRC): three strikes and you are out. You can do volunteer community service, but only with prior permission from the organisation that pays your UB. If you do it without their permission and they find out about it, they will reason that you are not full-time available for paid work, and cut your UB accordingly. For example: if you get UB for 40 hours per week and are found to do unauthorised volunteer work for 16 hours per week, you will only receive Benefits for 40 - 16 = 24 hours per week. That, and and a penalty for lying to them. Believe me, getting UB is definitely NOT a condition-free life of luxury. Jeroen _________________________________________________________________________ Wonderful World of Brin-L Website: http://www.Brin-L.com Tom's Photo Gallery: http://tom.vanbaardwijk.com
