The View From Wales

by Annejennette Stephenson

APNC Member

January 2009

In North Wales as mirrored in the South, the media tells us unemployment is rising at a rapid rate; Every 52 minutes a job is lost

 

Only last week in Llandudno (front page local news) 500 people turned up at a recruitment drive for a new hotel opening just outside the town; the amount of people suggested vast employment potential only to find there were 20-25 vacancies available. This equates to 15-20 people going for 1 job.

 

Granted the government is offering training and upskilling for the unemployed but where is the palliative upskilling or advice coming from? How do we cope with the changes? The deeper climb into deprivation, who helps with boosting self-esteem and confidence? Who pacify's the lenders when they want their debts repaid? Where are all the roof's coming from to house the evicted from repossession?

 

Suicide in Wales is on the increase and poverty is a related cause.
It's not about condemning the poor but how can we relieve the anguish.
A multicultural diverse society we supposedly live in, yet if our country continues on its decline will we have a society left? Or will we be left with a nation of impoverished citizens with no aspirations or decent quality of life because the poverty is clouding a decent quality of life.

 

I have to add I find it very poignant that earlier today I went to sign on for my job-seekers allowance only to be told "There aren't many jobs at the moment, they're slow coming in". I couldn't help myself by saying "You don't say; do you read the newspapers or watch the news? If I had said there's no jobs at the moment you would cut my job-seekers saying that's not a reasonable excuse!" I was then told to keep doing what I'm doing to look for work and off I went until next signing on day.

 

Regards
Annejennette

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