Australia’s new points-based welfare system will come into effect beginning July 1, 2022. The program, which seeks to modify the existing welfare system to make receiving government help accessible to those who need it, is controversial. According to the Department of Education, the program counts various tasks and activities for points.
New Points-Based Welfare System to Alleviate Poverty
Attending a job interview, for example, counts for 20 points while completing a job application counts for five, according to The Guardian. Australia, despite having one of the highest GDPs worldwide—ranks 13 out of 195— reports one in eight individuals live in poverty. Australia’s new points-based welfare system seeks to alleviate poverty by encouraging people to enter or reenter the workforce so that they do not require as much welfare.
Proponents of the policy argue that the program will expedite aid to those in need and will make restrictions less rigid. Critics suggest that the program’s reliance on technology to decide which applicants are in need is subject to bias and error, The Guardian reported.
Under the new welfare system, job seekers will not have to satisfy the current requirement of applying to 20 jobs to qualify for welfare payments, which many consider rigid.
Instead, the government will implement a points-based system where jobseekers will need to accumulate a certain number of points over the course of the month to be eligible for the welfare payment for that month. The new system is controversial, as proponents think it will solve some of Australia’s existing welfare issues, while critics suggest that it will limit welfare to those in need.
Unemployment Inequalities
Though the country’s unemployment rate as of 2022 is 3.5%, which is relatively low, many still find themselves in need of work. In 2020, 13.6% of Australians lived below the poverty line. Scholars and academics in Australia often hold that the country’s political and social structure is much to blame for entrenched inequality.
A 2010 Australian Council of Social Service (ACOSS) report explains that some of the existing inequalities are because Australians are not able to take advantage of their existing opportunities. Other inequalities exist because the system is not able to support the number of people who require aid. Moreover, that report also notes that the number of people living in poverty in 2006 was 11%.
Socio-Economic Problems
The main problem that Australia faces is that its low unemployment rate masks many of the socio-economic problems that the country faces. Many individuals work part-time or reduced hours, so though they have employment, they are not making the same that a full-time salaried person would make, the ACOSS report shows.
The same report explains that the percentage of Australians living in poverty while working, known as the working poor, has grown by 9.4% from 2003 to 2006. However, the issue remains that although many individuals struggle to make ends meet, they do not qualify for most of the government support that exists in Australia as they have formal employment but are not making enough to live comfortably.
Though most Australians remain in the workforce at least to some extent, the necessary income does not flow to those in need. Therefore, the welfare system is under strain, as people are still in need, though they may find help difficult to come by. Australia’s new points-based welfare system is attempting to redirect aid directly to those most in need.
As of 2020, one in six children in Australia was living in poverty, which leads to significant socio-economic inequality later in life. For example, children from lower socio-economic backgrounds are less likely to complete secondary education than children from higher socio-economic backgrounds. This disparity exacerbates as people age, as those who complete more school often have more job opportunities later in life.
Looking Ahead
The poverty rate appears to have slowed during the last decade, as it sits at about 13%. Though 13% is still high, Australians look to the slower rate as a sign that policy-alleviating efforts, such as Australia’s new points-based welfare system, across the country are effective. The new welfare system has not had enough time to go into effect, but those tracking poverty in Australia are hopeful that the new system will curb the poverty rate, as it targets Australians most in need.
– Lara Drinan
Photo: Flickr
The Organization Addressing Poverty in Ethiopia
Ethiopia, a country in East Africa, is one of the world’s least developed countries. Despite improvements in recent years, the country’s economic progress is declining due to the COVID-19 pandemic and widespread conflict throughout the country. The current Human Development Index (HDI) ranks Ethiopia at 173 out of the 189 countries on factors including life expectancy, literacy, poverty and many other dimensions. Although Ethiopia is struggling with a lack of housing, education and family stability, one organization is addressing poverty in Ethiopia: the Wegene Ethiopian Foundation.
The Current State of Poverty in Ethiopia
Nearly one-third of the 108 million people in Ethiopia are living in poverty, both in rural and urban regions. There is very limited work in the country, with 75% of the workforce in Ethiopia working in the agriculture sector. This is an unstable sector because of regular periods of floods and droughts, which can lead to loss of income and food supply.
In Ethiopia, 72% of people live without proper sanitation and only 42% of the population has access to clean water. Almost 80% of the deaths in the country come from preventable communicable and nutritional diseases.
There is the regular production of general medical practitioners and (some) specialists, but the production is not meeting the high demand for health professionals and equipment and drug shortages are an ongoing issue assisting in further health care difficulties.
Quality education is not prevalent in the country as only 85% make it past grade five and 54% make it past grade eight. Only half of the total population has the ability to read and write. Matters are even worse for females since traditional practices lead to early marriages and female genital mutilation, with little opportunity for women to advance and grow out of poverty.
Conflict in Ethiopia
Since 2020, Ethiopia has been addressing the government conflict with the Tigray region of the country. In November 2020, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed ordered a military offense against Tigray forces after there was an attack on an Ethiopian military base. This came from months of disagreement and conflict over human rights issues between the government and Tigray’s dominant political party, which has turned into a severe humanitarian crisis all over Ethiopia.
Thousands of people have died in this ongoing civil war and around 400,000 people are undergoing famine-like conditions, according to German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). As this war continues, it could push Ethiopia into worse conditions.
The Wegene Ethiopian Foundation: Addressing Poverty in Ethiopia
The Wegene Ethiopian Foundation is a nonprofit NGO that a group of friends started with the goal of changing one person’s life at a time, hence their slogan “One child at a time.” Wegene is dedicated to improving the lives of struggling children and families in Ethiopia. The approach is simple and community-based, with a special focus on improving local impoverished lives: friends, neighbors and others part of the community
The organization has multiple programs in place to address what it sees as the “critical barriers” of poor education, poor housing and family instability:
“Wegene” in Ethiopia’s official language Amharic, means ’empowering my community or my people’.” As of 2019, Wegene supported 90 families, 36 of which became self-sufficient. Poverty is still present in Ethiopia, but the Wegene Ethiopian Foundation is addressing poverty in Ethiopia and is actively giving families opportunities and resources to have a successful life.
– Dylan Olive
Photo: Flickr
Visual Impairments in China
Visual impairments in China affect everyone. It affects the persons suffering from visual impairment and it affects the people around them. Of the people suffering from visual impairment worldwide, China accounts for 20% of the visually impaired population. The Fred Hollows Foundation’s web page explains why it addresses visual impairments in China: “Sight affects a person’s ability to learn, to access economic opportunities and to live a life of independence.”
Causes of Visual Impairment
Visual impairments are prevalent in the whole country, but it is more so in rural China. Different regions struggle with different eye-related diseases. However, the most common conditions that cause visual impairments in China are cataracts, uncorrected refractive error and diabetic retinopathy.
Cataracts are the most common form of eye disease that leads to blindness. About 400,000 people go blind from cataracts and 7.58 million patients wait for surgery, according to The Fred Hollows Foundation. Along with cataracts, diabetic retinopathy and uncorrected refractive error – which includes myopia or nearsightedness – are increasing eye problems. One in nine adults suffers from diabetic retinopathy. Meanwhile, by 2050, about 66.8% of China will suffer from myopia.
Effects on Education
Children especially depend on vision in the school system. If their vision is impaired in some way, learning could become difficult. Without a good education, finding a job could be difficult too. Education is the key for many people to find a well-paying job.
According to an article published in Scientific Research, the authors argue, “Vision problems that remain unresolved will eventually force people to fall deeper into poverty as they will be unable to work and make provisions for their families or conduct daily tasks and thus a heavy reliance will be placed on others for care.”
Effects on Loved Ones
Visual impairments in China not only affect the person suffering, but also affects their family. The Fred Hollows Foundation tells the story of Wang. Wang lives in Northern China with his wife and daughter. He made a living as a truck driver. One day, Wang lost his vision. He tried fixing it with a pair of glasses, but it only worked for a short time. Wang went to the hospital for a check-up and discovered he had diabetic retinopathy. He underwent laser surgery to restore his eyesight, but it also worked temporarily. His diabetes also caused cataracts.
Because of his poor eyesight, Wang had to quit his job as a truck driver and found a new, lower-paying job as a security guard. The financial burden took a toll on the family. Wang’s wife began working at a restaurant to help ends meet. However, Wang also felt the burden of his poor eyesight with the time he spent with his daughter. He could no longer help her with her homework. Instead, his daughter had to help take care of her father.
After some time, Wang underwent cataract surgery through The Fred Hollows Foundation. Fifteen minutes after surgery, Wang walked out by himself. With his eyesight back, Wang’s family grew close once again. He returned to his old job as a truck driver and can help his daughter with her homework.
The Fred Hollows Foundation
Fred Hollows founded The Fred Hollows Foundation in 1992 to address those with visual impairments. The Fred Hollows Foundation began working in the Jiangxi Province in China in 1998 to help those who suffer from cataracts. In 2012, the Fred Hollows Foundations implemented a plan to expand to other provinces in western and central China.
In China, as of 2019, The Fred Hollows Foundation screened more than 640,000 people and performed more than 290,000 eye operations. Operations include 9,000 cataract surgeries and just under 3,000 diabetic retinopathy treatments.
Although visual impairments in China are prevalent, with millions of people suffering from some kind of visual impairment, organizations like The Fred Hollows Foundation provide eye care for people who need it.
– Chris Karenbauer
Photo: Flickr
Plumpy’Sup Fights Malnutrition in Developing Countries
Around 45% of deaths among children under 5 years of age are related to malnutrition and most of these deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries, also known as developing countries. Seeking to counter this statistic is Plumpy’Sup, one of the latest innovations in nutritional science. Plumpy’Sup fights malnutrition through its one-per-day sachets that provide a convenient and accessible route to necessary nutrients.
Understanding Malnutrition
Malnutrition refers to deficiencies, excesses or imbalances in energy intake. While many think of malnutrition as solely relating to undernourishment, according to WHO, the term malnutrition refers to three different groups of conditions:
A Far-Reaching Threat
Since one or more forms of malnutrition impact every single country in the world, fighting malnutrition has become a global issue. In 2020, the WHO estimated that, globally, more than 149 million children under 5 suffered stunting, 45 million endured wasting and 38.9 million were overweight.
Links Between Poverty and Malnutrition
Another threat that malnutrition posed is its strong relationship to poverty. This concerning link between poverty and malnutrition is cyclical, as malnutrition reduces the population’s economic potential in order to induce poverty. In turn, poverty reinforces malnutrition by increasing the risk of food insecurity. This explains why areas with chronic poverty have higher malnutrition rates. Thus, although malnutrition reaches the entire world, those living in poverty face an even more significant burden.
The relationship between malnutrition and poverty particularly concerns children. Micronutrient deficiencies may result in adverse birth outcomes such as low birth weight babies. These babies have an increased risk of impaired health and educational performance. Such impaired health, including illness susceptibility, contributes to poverty due to increased health care costs.
Additionally, poor educational performance in malnourished children may result in less schooling. Since education is a known pathway out of poverty, such decreased education contributes to the cyclical nature of poverty.
The Formula for Success
Hope in the fight against malnutrition can be found in Plumpy’Sup, a Ready-to-Use Supplementary Food (RUSF) that Nutriset designed to treat moderate acute malnutrition in children older than six months. Plumpy’Sup fights malnutrition using a peanut formula that comes in one-per-day sachets that are ready to eat and that people can consume in small quantities to supplement a regular diet. The ingredients in the formula include iron, sodium, vitamin A, vitamin D and more.
Plumpy’Sup is a flexible product that can treat malnutrition in various contexts, according to Nutriset’s website. Plumpy’Sup typically fights malnutrition in emergencies but one can also use it at home or in nutritional programs. The lipid-based dietary supplement, which has a high vitamin and mineral content, could provide hungry families with an option for fighting malnutrition in areas without electricity or clean water.
Ultimately, as Plumpy’Sup fights malnutrition, it provides a glimmer of hope for feeding the malnourished and stopping the cycle of poverty. Despite the pervasiveness of malnutrition, innovative food products such as Plumpy’Sup could be the start of a new chapter in global food security.
– Sarah DiLuzio
Photo: Flickr
European Parliament Votes to Address Women’s Poverty in Europe
On Tuesday, July 5, 2022, the European Parliament voted in favor of a report to address women’s poverty in Europe. This report comes in response to how the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated women’s poverty in Europe as well as ongoing discriminatory practices that Europe has not addressed.
Women’s Poverty in Europe
In the European Union, women are at greater risk of experiencing poverty. The poverty rate among men averages 20.4%, whereas the poverty rate among women is 22.3%. This difference increases in older age groups. Since 2017, the gender poverty gap has increased in 21 EU member states.
U.N. Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights, Olivier De Schutter, has attributed much of this difference to varying expectations for men versus for women. He has found that households often divide labor in a way that makes it difficult for women to seek full-time employment, U.N. News reported. Because women often spend more time taking care of children, they often can only work a part-time job. He also noted that women head the majority of single-parent households and that up to 40% of them face poverty.
The COVID-19 pandemic has only increased these obstacles. In fact, De Schutter noted that the crisis has caused many women to have to give up full-time jobs. Additionally, school closures have an impact, as women take care of children more than men within the European Union.
Another form of poverty that disproportionately affects women is period poverty. Period poverty refers to the inability of one to access clean menstruation products. Across Europe, one in 10 menstruators experience period poverty. While some European countries, like Scotland and the Netherlands, have taken steps to alleviate period poverty and increase access to sanitary products, regulations vary greatly from country to country.
Vote on the Report
The report that the European Parliament put forth aims to take a gender-informed approach to alleviate women’s poverty in Europe. It received approval with a vote of 535 members of parliament in favor, 18 members against and 79 abstentions, the European parliament’s website reported.
The report sets forth three primary goals: to establish an anti-poverty strategy with a focus on women to reach completion by 2030, to prevent violence against women is essential to their participation in the labor market and to avoid discriminatory tax policies on women’s sanitary products.
Members of the European Parliament strongly encourage member states to provide support to women escaping violence. Without full independence and a life free from violence, it is difficult for many women to support themselves financially.
Members also call for use of cross-sector gender-neutral job evaluation tools to ensure women are receiving equal pay and fair assessments in their workplaces. They additionally recognize how increasing accessibility to basic childcare enables more women to earn an income, according to the European Parliament’s website.
Women’s poverty in Europe, which the pandemic has worsened, is the result of difficulties many women face in entering the labor market, compounded by a lack of accessible sanitary products. The European Parliament hopes to alleviate some of the pressures exacerbating poverty among women in its recent vote on this report.
– Eleanor Corbin
Photo: Flickr
Thailand’s Marijuana Market
The New Marijuana Market is Full of Economic Potential
Thailand is still largely an agrarian economy, with almost a third of the labor force employed in this sector. The law that allows the commercial sale of marijuana, comes as a big relief for farmers, who were in desperate need of cultivating a cash crop other than sugar and rice. This need is amplified by the fact that the economy has been in slumber ever since the pandemic struck, growing only about 1.6% in 2021.
The policy aims to help farmers get back on their feet and maintain a steady source of income. To encourage cultivation, the government handed out 1 million new cannabis seeds to households, free of charge. Leveraging Thailand’s ideal tropical climate for the growth of marijuana, Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul estimated “the value of [the cannabis] industry to easily exceed $2 billion.”
To ensure a proper production and distribution system, the Food and Drug Administration has instructed all marijuana cultivators to register on an app called PlookGanja. According to the Bangkok Post, more than 100,000 people had registered and “the app was downloaded more than 50,000 times” on the morning of June 9 itself. A problem that can plausibly crop up when there are so many sellers is ensuring that the quality of marijuana is high and no product falls under the category of narcotics. Nevertheless, creating an orderly system helps the government keep track of illegal vendors and protect licensed businesses.
Products and Businesses based on the Marijuana Market
Around 1,181 marijuana-containing products, ranging from food and drinks to cosmetics and medicines, have been approved by The Health Ministry and are already out in Thailand’s markets. According to Reuters, the ministry expects the industry to be worth 15 billion baht ($435.16 million) by 2026. Thailand’s marijuana market possesses enormous potential and businesses like “Agro-industrial conglomerate Charoen Pokphand Foods Pcl (CPF.BK) and energy firm Gunkul Engineering (GUNKUL.BK)” are collaborating to produce cannabis-infused food and drinks for consumers.
The new business potentials are drawing in investments of more than 1.2 billion baht ($35 million), making the marijuana market very lucrative and a smart place for people to cash their money in.
Cannabis Tours and Medical Care
Cannabis tours in Thailand are expected to garner a lot of attention from tourists. Thailand has always been known as a prime wellness destination and the legalization of marijuana will help to build on this image. Many cafés, roadside stalls, restaurants and spas are selling juices, curries, popcorn, ice creams, soaps and oils infused with marijuana or cannabidiol (a safe compound found in cannabis) to help people de-stress. The sellers especially target international workers who come on corporate trips from countries where marijuana consumption is still not fully legal.
Ganja Café owner Thanyapat believes that the new law offers an “opportunity to offer new products and see a niche market expand to a mass market.” On the other hand, the Thailand government stresses that no foreigner should visit the country under the mentality of being able to smoke freely on the streets. The emphasis is on creating a healing environment, not an addictive one.
Apart from relaxation, another dimension of the cannabis tours is medical care. Marijuana is known for its pain-relieving medicinal properties and is more affordable than chemical drugs. The new law is paving the way for the establishment of hospitals, clinics and wellness centers that employ certified cannabis doctors and focus on cannabis treatment. This implies a huge expansion of Thailand’s marijuana market.
Educational Cannabis Tours and The Next Phase
It will take time to build the infrastructure and combat the stigma associated with marijuana. However, Thailand conducted pilot projects on “educational cannabis tours” a few years prior and these tours saw significant success. The tours came about through a partnership between Than Global Travels and Rajamangala University of Technology Isan, Sakon Nakhon Campus, and attracted people of all ages and occupations.
Than Global Travel Executive Officer Kattikamas Thanyajaroen states that “the next phase of cannabis tours will focus on medical care for people who want to use cannabis at clinics or universities for treatment.”
Making it Count
Thailand’s marijuana market may be the stimulus the economy needs to start growing rapidly. With proper precautions in place, the legalization of marijuana could indeed be a profitable venture for all citizens.
–Anushka Raychaudhuri
Photo: Flickr
Nobel Peace Prize Auctioned for Child Refugees in Ukraine
Ukrainian Refugee Crisis
As of July 2022, more than 5.6 million refugees from Ukraine have been recorded across Europe as a result of the ongoing war, with 8.7 million recorded border crossings. With nearly half a million children in Ukraine, UNICEF worries about the effects of living in a war-torn area.
In response to the conflict, UNICEF has ramped up its humanitarian aid to the region. In a statement following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, UNICEF Executive Director Catherine M. Russell said, “heavy weapons fire along the line of contact has already damaged critical water infrastructure and education facilities in recent days. Unless the fighting subsides, tens of thousands of families could face displacement, dramatically escalating humanitarian needs.”
UNICEF’s response focuses on providing health, hygiene and emergency education supplies. It is also getting safe water to areas in conflict, assisting children separated from families and working to ensure there is help for children and families. It has additionally established a fund to assist child refugees in Ukraine.
Dmitry Muratov’s Nobel Peace Prize
Muratov received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2021 for his work toward journalistic freedom and safeguarding democracy. After the fall of the Soviet Union, Muratov founded a newspaper, the Novaya Gazeta. The newspaper advocated for freedom of press and expression in Russia.
The Novaya Gazeta is critical of Russian officials and does not shy away from exposing corruption within the Russian government. Six of the Gazeta’s journalists lost their lives for their journalistic work on Russian military operations.
Muratov is no stranger to taking on Russian imperialism and has used his place as editor-in-chief to be critical of the Russian annexation of Crimea in 2014.
The Auction
According to NPR, Muratov conducted the auction through Heritage Auctions and opened bidding online on June 1, 2022, with all proceeds set to go to UNICEF’s Ukraine child refugee fund. In-person bidding occurred on Monday, June 20.
By Monday morning, the ending day of the auction, the online bid had only reached $550,000. The auction increased in increments initially. Then, suddenly, the highest bid jumped from $16.6 million to the winning $103.5 million from an anonymous caller, NPR reports.
This is blowing away the previous highest bid for a Nobel Prize of $4.76 million. In response to the results of the auction, Muratov stated in an interview with the Associated Press, “I was hoping that there was going to be an enormous amount of solidarity, but I was not expecting this to be such a huge amount.” All of the funds are already in UNICEF’s possession.
Muratov is a lifelong advocate for freedom and a critic of Russian expansionism. This auction is his latest act of generosity and advocacy, resulting in $103.5 million for child refugees in Ukraine.
– Eleanor Corbin
Photo: Wikicommons
Education to Alleviate Period Poverty During Conflict
During times of violence, those in need often receive aid, but period health often is a neglected aspect of assistance. Places with ongoing ethnic violence, war and displaced people need solutions for their women and girls to stay protected from infections and infertility issues. Hygiene is important and solutions are more sustainable when operating on the ground and pinpointing specific causes for specific issues. Kashmir, Palestine and Ukraine highlight the power of education to alleviate period poverty during conflict.
Kashmir
In Kashmir, many women cannot afford pads. Due to oppressive government officials and hateful bias in the region, many have lower access to health care and are constantly on the move. This cycle causes period poverty and cultural taboos continue to worsen the issue. Local doctors who treat tribal women see fever, vomiting, infection and pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) as a result of the women not properly using reusable period cloths.
Tribal women in Jammu and Kashmir doctors are telling women that “Severe infection can lead to adhesions [scar tissue] in the uterus, which can block the fallopian tubes and, in certain cases, lead to infertility,” Open Democracy reported. It is unusual for girls to learn how to manage their period or how to adapt to hygienic practices with limited resources.
Shazia Chaudhary is a Gujjar activist who holds counseling sessions on menstruation to educate nomadic girls about sanitary pads and proper washing for reusable rags. According to Open Democracy, less than 10% of tribal women in Jammu and Kashmir have accurate knowledge about periods or receive period education. The process of providing education to alleviate period poverty can eliminate serious health concerns.
Palestine
UNICEF is creating programs in Palestine to provide education to alleviate period poverty and to help those in extreme poverty learn about personal hygiene and have access to clean water and facilities. Not all women and girls have access to sanitary products, especially in times of uncertainty. As a result of historical forced movement, conflict in 2014 and destruction of infrastructure, many restrooms are not sanitary and lack privacy.
The combination of sanitation concerns and the overall taboo of periods at a young age leads to many young school girls with poor period hygiene. This can cause infection and possible reproductive issues. After success in 2012 and 2016, programs are expanding. “As part of its new country programme action plan in Palestine over 2018-2022, UNICEF is planning to continue with the WASH in schools programmes to address unmet needs identified in vulnerable communities,” said UNICEF in its report.
By creating better facilities and period knowledge, in schools, young women can have a private area to clean reusable products or dispose of reusable products, without feeling embarrassed.
Ukraine and Future Perspectives
Refugees all around the world face insecurity with sanitary products and it is Ukrainian refugees and citizens who now face this concern. Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, more than 4 million refugees have fled the country. According to Global Citizen, many of the refugees are women “who could not bring enough supplies to manage their periods and do not have the means to buy them.” Existing programs like I Support The Girls (ISTG), which women created and run, are starting to help “on the ground” in nearby countries to expand their assistance.
Many organizations have received heightened interest in donors, following the invasion of Ukraine and hope that the interest in period poverty and education continues after the war for other women in need.
Refugees and war zones all around the world face similar period products and sanitary needs. The Global Citizen is able to give credit to charities that will continue to help Ukrainian women and other countries, for a long to come.
– Karen Krosky
Photo: Flickr
Australia’s New Points-Based Welfare System
Australia’s new points-based welfare system will come into effect beginning July 1, 2022. The program, which seeks to modify the existing welfare system to make receiving government help accessible to those who need it, is controversial. According to the Department of Education, the program counts various tasks and activities for points.
New Points-Based Welfare System to Alleviate Poverty
Attending a job interview, for example, counts for 20 points while completing a job application counts for five, according to The Guardian. Australia, despite having one of the highest GDPs worldwide—ranks 13 out of 195— reports one in eight individuals live in poverty. Australia’s new points-based welfare system seeks to alleviate poverty by encouraging people to enter or reenter the workforce so that they do not require as much welfare.
Proponents of the policy argue that the program will expedite aid to those in need and will make restrictions less rigid. Critics suggest that the program’s reliance on technology to decide which applicants are in need is subject to bias and error, The Guardian reported.
Under the new welfare system, job seekers will not have to satisfy the current requirement of applying to 20 jobs to qualify for welfare payments, which many consider rigid.
Instead, the government will implement a points-based system where jobseekers will need to accumulate a certain number of points over the course of the month to be eligible for the welfare payment for that month. The new system is controversial, as proponents think it will solve some of Australia’s existing welfare issues, while critics suggest that it will limit welfare to those in need.
Unemployment Inequalities
Though the country’s unemployment rate as of 2022 is 3.5%, which is relatively low, many still find themselves in need of work. In 2020, 13.6% of Australians lived below the poverty line. Scholars and academics in Australia often hold that the country’s political and social structure is much to blame for entrenched inequality.
A 2010 Australian Council of Social Service (ACOSS) report explains that some of the existing inequalities are because Australians are not able to take advantage of their existing opportunities. Other inequalities exist because the system is not able to support the number of people who require aid. Moreover, that report also notes that the number of people living in poverty in 2006 was 11%.
Socio-Economic Problems
The main problem that Australia faces is that its low unemployment rate masks many of the socio-economic problems that the country faces. Many individuals work part-time or reduced hours, so though they have employment, they are not making the same that a full-time salaried person would make, the ACOSS report shows.
The same report explains that the percentage of Australians living in poverty while working, known as the working poor, has grown by 9.4% from 2003 to 2006. However, the issue remains that although many individuals struggle to make ends meet, they do not qualify for most of the government support that exists in Australia as they have formal employment but are not making enough to live comfortably.
Though most Australians remain in the workforce at least to some extent, the necessary income does not flow to those in need. Therefore, the welfare system is under strain, as people are still in need, though they may find help difficult to come by. Australia’s new points-based welfare system is attempting to redirect aid directly to those most in need.
As of 2020, one in six children in Australia was living in poverty, which leads to significant socio-economic inequality later in life. For example, children from lower socio-economic backgrounds are less likely to complete secondary education than children from higher socio-economic backgrounds. This disparity exacerbates as people age, as those who complete more school often have more job opportunities later in life.
Looking Ahead
The poverty rate appears to have slowed during the last decade, as it sits at about 13%. Though 13% is still high, Australians look to the slower rate as a sign that policy-alleviating efforts, such as Australia’s new points-based welfare system, across the country are effective. The new welfare system has not had enough time to go into effect, but those tracking poverty in Australia are hopeful that the new system will curb the poverty rate, as it targets Australians most in need.
– Lara Drinan
Photo: Flickr
Low Unemployment in Japan During COVID-19
Reports at the end of May 2022 showed that unemployment in Japan had been on a decreasing trend for three consecutive months, with the job-to-applicant ratio rising for four months in a row to 1.23. Noting that, this country’s unemployment rate is also significantly lower than in many other wealthy states.
Experience of Japan’s Job Market During COVID-19
It is reasonable to imagine a harsh hit on job seekers everywhere as COVID-19 spreads globally. By July 2021, the pandemic had taken 22 million working positions away from people in advanced countries. However, many have figured out how to cope with the impact of COVID-19. Japan is a country that has done so.
On the one hand, Japan could not entirely escape the adverse effects on employment during the pandemic. In April 2020, approximately three months after China experienced the first significant breakout of COVID-19, the Japanese government ordered emergency acts that postponed many paid employment. Within a month, the unemployment rate in Japan rose by 0.1%, reaching 2.6%.
On the other hand, the Japanese job market started to revive and the unemployment rate in Japan has generally been decreasing since then, despite some ups and downs. According to MENAFN, by April 2022, Japan’s unemployment rate was 2.5%, even lower than it had been two years earlier.
Among all the members of the OECD, the unemployment rate in Japan is low and steady even in the pandemic era. The U.S. youth unemployment rate reached 15.1% in 2020 and the Euro area’s rate has never gone below 7% since the COVID-19 breakout. However, Japan’s unemployment has never exceeded 4% during that same period.
What Has Given the Japanese Job Market Relative Stability?
Japanese enterprises do not easily place the need of shareholders over employees’ welfare as they prioritize the long-term sustainability of the business instead of maximizing growth. Therefore, this resulted in fewer people losing their jobs as a result of the pandemic.
The social context of Japan is very different from that of Western countries. The Japanese working environment is very high-pressure. Twenty-two percent of Japanese workers had to work more than 50 hours a week despite the fact that the official working hour is 40 hours per week.
The Japanese government implemented effective measures to ensure its citizens’ job security. The government provided subsidies for employers. Subsidies paid for part of the compensation to the workers who had to go on leave, so the companies would not have to fire them. Additionally, the application process for the subsidies was easy.
One should note that people who are still holding occupations but are not practically working do not count as unemployed. For example, if an employer postponed some of his workers’ work (i.e. force them to take on leave), these people would not be unemployed. Thus, the employment rate indicator does not address many families with difficulties, according to Nippon.com
Overall, the pandemic affected the unemployment rate in Japan to a much smaller extent due to both Japan’s unique social background and the governmental effort. This rate is still steadily declining.
– Ella Li
Photo: Flickr
Helping Afghanistan Recover from Earthquakes
On June 22, 2022, a magnitude 6.1 earthquake devastated eastern Afghanistan. An aftershock struck the same area, temporarily stopping all aid and recovery efforts on June 24. The earthquakes took the lives of approximately 1,000 people and destroyed nearly 10,000 houses, a number that poor rural infrastructure in Afghanistan exacerbated. The immediate danger stemming from the earthquake has now subsided and hundreds of thousands of Afghans still desperately need medical attention, shelter and aid. Fortunately, the international community has met the call to action. Here are four ways the international community is helping Afghanistan recover from its deadly earthquakes.
Temporary Shelters
Several countries and organizations have sent temporary shelters to Afghanistan. Poor rural infrastructure, with many people living in mud homes, characterizes much of the affected portion of Afghanistan. On June 23, the U.N. Refugee Agency (UNHCR) delivered 600 tents, 4,200 blankets and 1,200 plastic sheets to the country alongside other household supplies such as buckets and solar lamps. The U.S. announced on June 28 that it will be delivering temporary shelters to the country, though it has not disclosed the quantity. In all, the U.S. will send temporary shelters alongside water collection vessels, blankets, lamps, pots and clothes.
Medical Supplies
Now that the immediate danger of the earthquake has passed and rescue efforts have concluded, the difficult task of treating survivors and dealing with the medical fallout associated with temporary shelters and natural disaster aftermath begins. The already overburdened medical system in Afghanistan, with many hospitals being understaffed or outright closed due to a lack of supplies and personnel, has made the situation worse. Neighboring countries, the United States, UNHCR and the World Health Organization (WHO) are helping Afghanistan by delivering medical supplies.
On June 22, hours after the initial earthquake, WHO sent 10 tonnes of medical equipment to the region, enough to perform 5,400 surgeries and treat an estimated 36,000 people. In addition to treating survivors, much of the medical equipment will go towards preventative measures. The population of East Afghanistan is in severe danger of waterborne illness in the coming weeks and months. To counter this, much of the supplies that UNHCR and the United States sent come in the form of sanitation, hygiene and water supplies.
Workers on the Ground
UNHCR deployed several exports to Afghanistan in the immediate aftermath of the earthquake. The workers helped set up shelters and supply food and household goods to some 4,200 survivors. Further, additional teams from UNHCR have worked to set up supply hubs in three separate districts in east Afghanistan to facilitate rapid aid delivery. The World Health Organization sent eight ambulances and 20 medical teams alongside medical supplies on June 22.
Financial Support
The government of Afghanistan may have some difficulties in receiving financial aid from citizens of the world as well as some countries due to the heavy sanctions that the United States imposed on them. Donations to crowdfunding sites such as GoFundMe cannot transfer to Afghanistan banks for that very reason. The U.S. announced on June 28, that it will provide $55 million in aid, some of which is purely financial. However, there have been several calls for the United States to unfreeze some Afghan assets in order to facilitate humanitarian relief. The government of South Korea pledged on June 23, financial support totaling $1 million to help Afghanistan recover from its deadly earthquake.
Looking Ahead
Efforts in helping Afghanistan recover from its deadly earthquakes are well underway. Delivery of medical supplies, temporary shelters, household goods and financial aid have been plentiful and will continue to ease the suffering of thousands of Afghans. Additional help on the ground from UNHCR and other agencies has also sped up the recovery process while keeping victims of the earthquakes safe. Despite this, the recovery will remain a long and arduous task. Fortunately, the international community has thus far been sufficient in providing aid and shows no signs of stopping.
– Benjamin Brown
Photo: Flickr