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Tuesday, 2 May, 2023
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Jobseeker lament By Sahar Foladi No one can afford to live on Jobseeker, says refugee Asif Afzali. Ahead of May’s federal budget, welfare groups and the government’s own Economic Inclusion Advisory Committee (EIAC) have called for a “substantial” rise in the “seriously inadequate” Jobseeker payments as a high priority. The committee also called for an increase in Commonwealth Rent Assistance and to reform its “indexation to better reflect rent paid”. Asif Afzali was among thousands of Afghans who fled Afghanistan after the Taliban took control in 2021. Similar to many refugees and migrants Mr Afzali has called Dandenong home ever since his arrival and had been on Jobseeker. “I searched too many jobs and applied. “I don’t have local experience other things is maybe my English.” Mr Afzali struggled to find a job even though he’s a qualified civil engineer and an electrician. He studied at a private University in Kabul, completed his degree, worked for three years as a site engineer in commercial companies and five years as an electrician with TABS which provided electricity all over Kabul. “My friends have the same problem as I have. Some have graphic design qualifications and some have IT qualifications. “After some time, they start work in construction they put away their qualifications and start again from zero.” While on Jobseeker he received $600 fortnightly and paid $550 monthly living in a shared house with fellow Afghan migrants. “It was hard because it was not enough for food, paying bills, wifi and everything. We tried to find a cheaper and old house. “Prices are going up rent prices too. It’s not enough for one person.” Bakhtar Community Organisation CEO Bassir Qadiri said the current JobSeeker and
Asif Azali was on Jobseeker when he first arrived to Australia from Afghanistan in 2021. 331037 Youth Allowance rates are below the poverty line. “As a community organisation we work with individuals and families experiencing financial hardship and we see first-hand the challenges they face in meeting their basic needs. “Therefore, we believe that increasing the payments would provide much-needed relief for those struggling.”
Bakhtar Community Organisation (BCO) provides a range of volunteering services to new arrivals in the country from Afghanistan and Ukraine. From donating clothes, household items, laptops to interpretation and legal services, BCO is at the forefront to help the community. ACOSS CEO Cassandra Goldie said income support levels are woefully inadequate and
Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS must be raised. “In the past 12 months, the costs of food, rent and energy have all surged by double digits. “This has meant that people on JobSeeker and related payments cannot afford to eat enough, cannot get essential medication or healthcare, and often go into debt to pay their energy bills. Continued page 7
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