Trouble Looking for Work...

After registering, there is a lengthy and formidable procedure to endure before being considered for the dole. The Labour Department referred me to a variety of female intensive labour type slushy jobs. The Social Welfare Department, which pays the dole, requires that a letter of introduction to possible employers is presented to six such bosses within two weeks of application for benefit, for their signatures. This is supposed to indicate that work has "genuinely" been sought after. Hawking that letter around was an angering and frustrating performance. I knew that there was no work, the Labour and Social Welfare Departments knew there was no work arid yet the farce had to go on before the Social Welfare Department would pay a cent! The stance of the Labour Department is that every job must be applied for, any offered must be gratefully accepted. It is very bad form to refuse interviews or offers of work from bosses. The notion of choice of work was exploded by the agency which is supposed to help people to find reasonably satisfactory employment.

After a couple of weeks I knew that I was supposed to feel owned by the Labour and Social Welfare Department.

As well as hassling with the system as it affects all workers, I had to battle with the institutionalised sexism of the Labour Department as manifested by the male interviewer who dealt with my case. Mr B's style and tone was accusatory, rather than helpful. All the stereotypical nonsense about bludgers and perennial students and women was trotted out. Since I didn't want to make tea, wait at tables or scrub floors, "I didn't want to work at all".

I was forced to agree to interviews for a variety of cruddy jobs. Several times it was made clear that the job was mine. I rapidly developed the technique of dismaying or annoying the interviewing boss by saying that I'd be bored silly and/or wouldn't stay long. This worked well. The Labour Department was getting heavier, so when a gardening job as special worker was offered I took it.

Ensuing conversations showed that established staff members were largely positively disposed towards unions. A job delegate was elected.

About a month after I'd begun the job, all the special workers were laid off. The departing supervisor was afraid to leave us for his successor, in case there wasn't enough work for us. Along with one other special worker I was reinstated the following week, but before that I had to front up to the Labour Department again. I was pissed off to find Mr B. waiting for me with open arms and closed mind. We spent 40 minutes talking. We went over some old ground, but more astounding prejudices emerged. I asked to be referred' to some of the male vacancies. Oh, no, there aren't female toilets on male intensive labour work sites! We tossed that chestnut around. Mr B. was sure that most women" don't share my attitude and anyway "industry wouldn't condone it". I continued to assert that I wanted an outdoor job and did not want any of the female jobs, and that I was quite prepared to do the necessary hassling with bosses. The real reason for Mr B.'s refusal was that he feared bosses would not list jobs with the Labour Department if they sent women to try for "male" jobs.

Though I was happy to return to the gardening job which I enjoy, I still feel angry about the way the corrupt special work scheme is itself abused.