The Unemployed as Criminals

Unfortunately this attitude is present in the relevant legislation. Not only are the unemployed treated as if they were page 9 responsible for their plight but they are seen as social deviants. If they are deemed to have no visible means of support they are termed rogues and vagabonds and are liable to be jailed for being idle and disorderly. Upon applying for a benefit, personal particulars are submitted under the threat of a prosecution if anything is found to be untrue.

Once completed, the form's validity is ignored completely while the applicant's history is investigated. Once the benefit is received the applicant's freedom is restricted in a way reminiscent of a probation term. If he fails to turn up to the Labour Department at the appointed time each week he loses his livelihood. It is no wonder that overworked government officials begin to treat every applicant with an inherent suspicion, especially if they do not conform to normal (middle class) standards of dress and behaviour.

Under the onslought of media, legislative and social pressure those unemployed, already isolated by government policy, suffer an acute loss of dignity. Because of this applications for benefits are often left until an applicant is in no shape to under-go the rigours of the registering process and survive. More often than not an applicant refuses to see his position as anything other than in between jobs until he is destitute.

The government in dealing with its economic crisis is showing very little regard for the people it represents. Unemployment means suffering bankruptcy, mortgage for closures, time purchase reposessions, divorce, child malnutrition and crime. Some of these consequences are not here yet. Probably they won't be seen to appear before the next election. This Christmas students were a privileged minority. Next Christmas it may be different.