The government has rolled out new rules for people receiving welfare benefits, tightening the requirements to encourage job-seeking and skills development. Among the changes is a requirement for some beneficiaries to complete five-hour weekly training sessions.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!But that’s not all — job seekers will now have to complete at least three job-search activities each week for a month and report their efforts to the Ministry of Social Development (MSD). The aim, according to Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston, is to bring greater “accountability” to the welfare system.
Encouraging Steps Toward Employment
Minister Upston emphasized the importance of beneficiaries making a genuine effort to return to work. “It’s important that those who are able to work are taking steps to re-enter the workforce,” she said. “Consequences must exist for those who don’t.”
To enforce this, the government will rely on its so-called “traffic light system,” which categorizes beneficiaries based on their level of compliance.
How the Traffic Light System Works
If you’re on a benefit with work or social obligations — like Jobseeker Support — you’ll be assigned a color: green, orange, or red. Green means you’re meeting all your obligations, orange is a warning, and red indicates you’re non-compliant and will face sanctions.
Once someone is moved to red, they will be sanctioned, which could involve financial penalties or other consequences. However, beneficiaries can return to the green category by providing evidence of their job-search activities or completing their training requirements.
A Push for Accountability or Added Pressure?
The announcement has sparked mixed reactions. Supporters argue that the measures will help more people transition from welfare into the workforce, benefiting both the individual and the broader economy.
However, critics warn that the changes could place undue stress on those already facing significant challenges. “Finding a job isn’t just about sending out applications — it’s about having the right support, training, and mental readiness,” one social worker noted.
While the government says the new rules are about “encouraging responsibility,” others question whether the system may unfairly penalize those who face genuine barriers to employment.
What do you think? Should stricter rules be enforced to ensure accountability, or is this approach adding unnecessary pressure to those in need?