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Jim Greenaway, Anglican Social Justice Commissioner, R.D. 2, Opotiki, phone 0 315 4817, fax 07 315 4847,
e-mail socustco@wave.co.nz
internet http://cyberjournal.org
Following on from the Social Responsibility conference at Massy, Albany in February a lunchtime campaign meeting was held at the Ellen Melville Hall, High St, Auckland in late April. As at the conference, there was good attendance by people working in the voluntary sector.
Strong links were made between the Social Responsibility code and the new 'work for the dole' - both are attacks by government on individuals which divert attention from the government's own social responsibility. Both involve cuts to benefits which will punish
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people - including children - who already bear the brunt of economic recession and neo-liberal stupidities.
Some good ideas came out of this strategy session:
Monthly Auckland campaign meetings - the next one is Tuesday, 19 May. Venue to be advised or check with People Centre.
A Workfare Boycott Register - 'Communities with a Conscience' - a register of voluntary organisations who have refused to participate in workfare schemes, or be 'brokers' to organise other organisation. (Work on this will help identify who has been approacher, who is a 'provider'.)
Those on workfare are 'volunteers' ie not covered by
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holidays, sick pay etc. But could we challenge workfare 'providers' under the Health and Safety Act - many wouldn't be up to standard.
May 15 - Take a day off on the anniversary of Employment Contracts Act. Strong link between this attack on collective bargaining and 'slave labour' workfare which will undermind the basic wage and other wage rates. University Students' day of action.
Budget Day Action - prepare to respond.
Legal challenge under Children and Young Persons Act - re effect further benefit cuts will have on children living beneath the poverty line.
Challenges under UN Codes and conventions - check out
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