Should long-term job-seekers in receipt of government benefits be made to do voluntary work so that they give something back to the community?
Ans:
Many a tabloid headline has capitalized on the number of benefits doled out to the unemployed and those deemed not worthy of government-backed financial support. whilst many benefit-seekers are undoubtedly genuine, public sympathy often does not extend on the long-term unemployed. there is a feeling that such people in receipt of benefits should give something back to the community.
Making the long-term unemployed do voluntary work would certainly help appease public ire. however, working as a volunteer would also be of great benefit to those out of work for a substantial period of time, from both a psychological as well as the practical viewpoint.
Long-term job seekers often lack self-esteem and confidence, which having a job provides. working as a volunteer would help establish a purpose in life for such individuals and help them win back their confidence. also, without a good income or purpose to get out and meet people, the long-term unemployed often end up staying home most of the time and then feel distanced from society and depressed as a result. if they had to do voluntary work, this would allow them more frequent interaction with the public and to become part of society once more.
From a practical aspect, doing voluntary work could also improve the employment prospect of long-term job seekers. today with rising levels of unemployment, long-term job-seekers face stiff competition in the job sector when up against recently-qualified graduates. probably quite a bit older than your average up-and-coming graduate, long-term job seekers have been out of the job market for sufficient time to make them a somewhat unattractive prospect for would be employers. working as a volunteer would give long-term job seekers recent job experience and make them more employable, therefore.
It can be seen that doing volunteer work can benefit the long-term unemployed on many levels. instead of providing financial support for the long-term unemployed with no form of payback the government should instead demand a stint of voluntary work in return for receipt of benefits. whilst the idea may not be initially popular, it will benefit everyone in the long-run.
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