12792 (2024). Ricardo Menéndez March to the Minister for Social Development and Employment

12792 (2024). Ricardo Menéndez March to the Minister for Social Development and Employment: What impact, if any, does the Minister expect the introduction of compulsory work seminars to have on the number of beneficiaries receiving Jobseeker Support?

Hon Louise Upston: Work seminars are one of many ways to actively engage with job seekers and provide them with opportunities to shift into work. The new compulsory seminars are one part of our Government's changes to make the welfare system more proactive. It is a combination of activities, interventions, and engagements with employers which lead to jobseekers shifting into work. I expect the Ministry to apply sanctions when clients do not meet their work obligations, including attending work seminars, without a good and sufficient reason.