Originally Posted by diddy

Despite the arguments of some, very few of us are heading to, or are in, Oz expecting it to be a bed of roses.

I have no doubt that it's gonna be tough for a while when we arrive.

Modern Australia was built on migrants and pioneers, which is the attitude that prevails today.

Unfortunately, some people just aren't tough enough to make it there.

Paul.

Originally Posted by Grayling

Paul
I think that kind of statement is a bit provocative and a bit too simplistic.
Migration is not supposed to be some sort of Antipodean 'Big Brother' contest.
Most people say they are going to improve their standard of living not to be 'Great white hunters' or frontiersmen.

It also does not explain the number of Australian professionals who leave to improve their lot.

My son is an engineer in Australia. He used to share a house with some other young engineers in Brisbane. They were Australians and have all left to work in England to 'earn some proper money' and to improve their CVs.

I recently met some contractors working on the Karuah bypass in NSW. They were living away from home and were 'doing it for the money'.They were being paid about $850 a week and thought that was a lot as the most they could earn in their home towns (Orange and Bathurst) would be about $500 a week which they though would be about the average wage. These men were not labourers.
The Australian working life can be tough for some.

G

Originally Posted by diddy

Grayling,

I think you know who I'm trying to wind up.

Originally Posted by Grayling

I have been keeping an eye on Nursing Job adverts in Australia for the past couple of years.

What is striking is that the number of jobs advertised on a casual basis is increasing.
There is no shortage of work but it means that employers do not have added 'on costs'. It also means that casuals can be employed on the grade that suits the employer.

This is not always bad as it would suit me as I don't intend to work much anyway. It is ,however, difficult to run a home on that basis if it is your only income.
I would suggest that Nurses should find themselves a permanent, contracted job before they go as they may initially have to work on a casual basis in some areas.

G

Originally Posted by podgypossum

Sorry G

I have to disagree with that statement. When we were looking ot come ot Australia, Bill was in the very enviable position of having the choice of working in 4 different states at several hospitals and health care providers, not one of them offered casual, all were desperate to take him on a permanent contract. A good friend of mine (who is also a member of this board) arrived here recently, had a casual nurses pool job within a couple of weeks of arrivng and within a coupl eof weeks after that was then offered a permanent contract in one of the hospitals here. I also know of a a couple of other nurses coming to Adelaide, ALL have been offered perm jobs immediately.

Originally Posted by Grayling

What is striking is that the number of jobs advertised on a casual basis is increasing.
There is no shortage of work but it means that employers do not have added 'on costs'. It also means that casuals can be employed on the grade that suits the employer.

Originally Posted by ABCDiamond

Can you clarify what the "on costs" are that the employers don't have with casual workers ?
I also know people who work casual, and have been offered permanent, but don't want it, because it means a reduction in pay.

Originally Posted by kong

Name one country that doesnt have financial struggles????

NONE

However there is little doubt that under Johnny Howard there has been an explosion in the number of "casual" jobs which offer no guaranteed pay or hours and bugger all employment rights. In the UK "temp" jobs exist through agencies, most workers use this method to "get a foot in the door" prove their worth and go permenant after 3 months and get all the perks such as 20-25 days paid holiday sick pay etc. I do not know anyone who would wish to work as a casual for years on end, unfortuntely in Oz a lot of people have a choice of being exploited as a casual or the dole.

Sadly for the POM refugees, they are not entitled to dole for 2 years, so may well end up working "as and when" required and could well find that the wages do not cover rent/bills/food/car costs etc.

Still, theres always the beach....Especially useful on a cold windy day in August.

Originally Posted by Grayling

As I understand it: Holiday pay, sick pay etc. Redundancy pay?

I may be wrong.
I know casuals earn more per hour.

G

Originally Posted by ABCDiamond

Ah, I see. Those things are actually included in the casual rate of pay, hence the higher hourly rate, so the employer does actually still end up paying them, just on an hourly basis rather than when they actually go on holiday etc. I wasn't certain if things had changed since I was involved in all that a few years ago.

Originally Posted by Grayling

As I said it would suit me as I have other income.
The problem would arise(for many people) I would Imagine, if there were long periods when no work was available. Otherwise I don't necessarily see it as all bad.

G

Originally Posted by kong

Name one country that doesnt have financial struggles????

NONE

However there is little doubt that under Johnny Howard there has been an explosion in the number of "casual" jobs which offer no guaranteed pay or hours and bugger all employment rights. In the UK "temp" jobs exist through agencies, most workers use this method to "get a foot in the door" prove their worth and go permenant after 3 months and get all the perks such as 20-25 days paid holiday sick pay etc. I do not know anyone who would wish to work as a casual for years on end, unfortuntely in Oz a lot of people have a choice of being exploited as a casual or the dole.

Sadly for the POM refugees, they are not entitled to dole for 2 years, so may well end up working "as and when" required and could well find that the wages do not cover rent/bills/food/car costs etc.

Still, theres always the beach....Especially useful on a cold windy day in August.

Originally Posted by Hels

I have already made comment regarding the "temp" mentality here in the UK in my previous post, so wont comment again.

But, I am wondering just why SHOULD Australia pay POM refugees the dole? Its their own choice to go to Australia, no one has begged them to go. My Grandfather was born here in the UK and can I get the dole here? Or any kind of public money assistance? No....I have had to support myself totally since arriving here....and did I expect anyone to support me? No....because I chose to come here....I have paid taxes and not complained about paying National Insurance which I wont get back in a pension....

I cant believe the mentality of those that think everyone owes THEM....

~getting off my soapbox~

Originally Posted by Hels

I have already made comment regarding the "temp" mentality here in the UK in my previous post, so wont comment again.

But, I am wondering just why SHOULD Australia pay POM refugees the dole? Its their own choice to go to Australia, no one has begged them to go. My Grandfather was born here in the UK and can I get the dole here? Or any kind of public money assistance? No....I have had to support myself totally since arriving here....and did I expect anyone to support me? No....because I chose to come here....I have paid taxes and not complained about paying National Insurance which I wont get back in a pension....

I cant believe the mentality of those that think everyone owes THEM....

~getting off my soapbox~

Originally Posted by Grayling

In fairness to Kong
I do not think he was suggesting that immigrants should get the dole. He was pointing out that they may have to struggle on Casual work and may find things difficult.
Saying that there have been plenty of posts on here along the lines of:'what am I entitled to?' or 'What benefits can I get? or 'what child allowance/rent allowance is available?' Often from people who in other posts have complained about 'Immigrants' freeloading off the UK system

G