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Dear Kitty,

 

On behalf of Hon Louise Upston, Minister for Social Development and
Employment, thank you for your email received 9 May 2024.

 

Your email has been noted, however we have referred your email to the
Ministry of Social Development (MSD) to respond to you directly.

 

You will hear from MSD shortly.

 

 

 

 

Office of Hon Louise Upston | MP for Taupō

Minister for Social Development and Employment

Minister for the Community and Voluntary Sector
[1]image
Minister for Child Poverty Reduction

Minister for Disability Issues

Acting Minister for Women
 

  Website: [2]www.Beehive,govt.nz

Private Bag 18041, Parliament Buildings, Wellington 6160, New
Zealand

 

 

 

 

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Dear Kitty, I understand MSD will be responding directly. MSD advised when we transferred this over that they have this to hand, generally they reply within 20 working days

Kind regards

Office of Hon Louise Upston | MP for Taupō
Minister for Social Development and Employment
Minister for the Community and Voluntary Sector
Minister for Child Poverty Reduction
Minister for Disability Issues
Acting Minister for Women

Website: www.Beehive,govt.nz
Private Bag 18041, Parliament Buildings, Wellington 6160, New Zealand

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Tēnā koe Kitty,

 

Please find a reply on behalf of the Chief Executive of the Ministry of
Social Development attached.

 

Nā mātou noa, nā

[1][email address]

Ministerial and Executive Services

Ministry of Social Development

 

From: Kitty <[2][FOI #26684 email]>
Sent: Thursday, May 9, 2024 12:07 PM
To: Louise Upston (MIN) <[3][email address]>
Subject: Official Information request - Kōrero Mahi compulsory seminars
and health/disability

 

Dear Louise Upston,

 

You recently made a press release stating that people who come onto
Jobseeker Support must now attend a Kōrero Mahi – Let’s Talk Work seminar
within a fortnight to have their employment needs assessed and their next
step decided.

 

You write that: “Those who do not attend without a good and sufficient
reason could be sanctioned."

 

Only 57.8% of the Jobseeker as of the Dec 2023 quarter are classified
"work ready". The other 42.2% are on it due to health conditions and
disabilities.

 

Please clarify the following:

 

- Does the compulsory seminar requirement apply to health/disability
Jobseekers?

 

- If compulsory, what accessibility and support options will be available
to make the seminar reasonably accessible for those with health conditions
or disability? (eg Deafness, blindness, mobility issues, transportation
requirements, neurodiversity)

 

- What constitutes a "good and sufficient" reason not to attend, in terms
of health and disability? Who will be responsible for making this
determination, and how/by what process will it be made?

 

- If a Jobseeker is deemed to have a "good and sufficient reason" not to
attend, please describe the next steps options that are able to be offered
- eg, deferral to a later date, seminar alternatives, waiving of the
requirement, etc.

 

Yours faithfully,

 

Kitty

 

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