Dear Ministry of Social Development,

Background:
There are numerous references noted in the MSD/WINZ websites of the obligations of MSD to the job seeker ie provide support for job seeking activities etc yet these obligations are not supported by legislation in the Social Securities Act.

1. Regarding the original Job Seeker Agreements(atleast prior to 2008) provided to beneficiaries by WINZ it clearly noted the obligations of both parties ie beneficiaries and MSD. Currently the equivalent form of the JSA existing today - presented on reapplication of the job seeker benefit - does not contain any obligations to the job seeker by MSD.

Why has this been removed ?

2. There are numerous references to MSD obligations to the job seeker noted on MSD/WINZ websites yet these obligations are not supported(nor enforceable?) by any legislation in the Social Securities Act.

Why is this and are these obligations enforceable in any way at all?

Why isn't the information advertised on your websites aligned with MSD's accountability and why isn't it supported by legislation?

Can they be enforced by the Social Security Appeals Authority despite not being supported by legislation?

Yours faithfully,

D Dahya

Dear Pia Wihapi,

I have received your 7 March 16 response to my information request, however, it does not answer the questions I have submitted.

Responses to each of my points are;

Point 1 - You advised that there is an entire section on obligations noted on the 52 week reapplication form.

This is entirely true but it refers to the obligations of the job seeker/beneficiary to MSD.

Point 2 - You advised that the obligations are set out in section 102A of the Social Securites Act 1964 - again this is true but, again, refers to obligations of the job seeker/beneficiary to MSD.

Point 3 - You advised that the obligations are legislated for and are outlined in the url below..
http://www.workandincome.govt.nz/on-a-be...

Yes, the obligations are outlined here but, again, refer to the obligations of jobseekers/beneficiary's to MSD - not MSD's obligations to jobseekers/beneficiaries.

In summary, your responses only refer to the job seekers obligations to MSD my request is, and has always been, about MSD's obligations to the jobseekers/beneficiaries.

Similarly, the legislation you refer to 102A (Social Securities Act) relates only to the job seekers obligations(to MSD) or did you mean section 1A (Purpose)and 1B Principles for MSD's obligations(to the job seeker) please clarify.

Could you correctly answer the above queries by 25th May 16 please to avoid further information requests.

Yours sincerely,

David Dahya