Do you want a job (or not)?

Obviously with the economic state of this island and no doubt the ongoing mis-management of funds, I wonder whether one of the options to try to reduce "public wastage" is to get "tough" with those who are "abusing" welfare/social services for "choosing" not to work.  I emphasise the word "choosing" as opposed to "not able" (whether it be for medical reasons etc). Before I receive a barrage of "if it were not for the ex-pats we would have a job, blah, blah, blah" I note that, contrary to local belief, there ARE jobs available on this island covering many types of work from labouring to office, accountancy, hospitality, and the list just goes on. 

Of course, in an ideal world, you would go to your place of work, do very little for a very large salary.  Unfortunately that is not the case and we do actually need to "work" (whether we like what we do or not) to bring home some money in in order to live.  Personally I have a lot of self-respect for myself and would get a job (even if it meant doing something I did not particular enjoyr or could envisage myself doing for the next five years) just to hold my head up high to say that I was a provider/contributer and was therefore not more of a drain of the wealfare system.

I query therefore whether if you are claiming welfare for non-medical reasons why government cannot set up a system whereby you could be matched with some (say three) available positions, interviews are arranged on your behalf  and you are "encouraged" to attend.  Feedback to the government agency would be requested from the interviewer as to why the applicant was not suitable.  No need for huge feedback if they were appointed for the position, obviously.  If the feedback was positive in that there was nothing "wrong" with the applicant (i.e. no "attitude", could speak perfectly good English, was clean, polite and ameniable and appeared keen to want the position) but there were just other people "better qualified" for the position, then than would signal that this particular applicant would benefit from training programs etc which are available.  Furthering / improving one's education can only be a good thing, can't it?  If, however, the feedback was that the applicant obviously did not want to be at that interview, was rude (use of personal cell phone while interviewing etc) and had an "attitude" then I think it is high time for people to take responsibility for themselves and stop relying on handouts from others.  A short sharp shock maybe what is needed with the option of "cleaning up your act" to "your benefits will be cut" if you continue to carry on in this manner, not wanting to work when you are perfectly capable of doing the same.  Don't forget that we all have to start at the bottom and "work" our way up the ladder, sometimes taking on menial tasks, however, once in a job, if you try your best and work hard, then what is stopping you from "working your way up the ladder" with more benefits, pay and job satisfaction? 

I feel that if people "cannot be bothered" to work (let's face it, would you want to get up early every morning if you did not need to?) then we should stop being bothered financially by the work-shy.

I want to earn a six figure salary (don't we all) but the truth of the matter is that I am not qualified to earn that type of money.  I have a job that I enjoy and the company that I work for notices those that work hard as opposed to those that just "cruise" and I am paid for what I do accordingly.

I think it is high time we stopped "paying" these scroungers to stay in bed all day until they choose to wake up.  If it were me, I would set-up three intereviews best to suite the applicant's needs.  Upon feedback if all were a "no" and the feedback were "negative" then benefits would be cut.  It amazes me how many of those on welfare can afford a car and to put gas in the same - if a welfare cut means tightening your belt and having to sell your car because you "choose" not to work, I do not feel sorry for you.  Many people on this island are hard-working people who save up for such luxuries or take the bus.  The work-shy need to be addressed, dressed and put to work like the majority of us. 

The civil service has enough resources at present to set up this type of agency without having to employ more staff.  A resource that I think would benefit this island.  I do not for one second expect a pat on the back for suggesting the above as I think there will more than likely be an outcry of "how difficult it is to get a job" - actually, it is not.  You just need the right attitude and willingness to turn your hand to anything to get that first foot on the ladder.  Education is not just learning from a book at school, it is learning to understand how we should be behaving and how the world works and where WE fit into it.  Education starts at home.