Latest news with #SocialDevelopment
CTV News
3 days ago
- Business
- CTV News
N.B. government to spend $1.2 million to support youth in care
New Brunswick's provincial flag flies on a flag pole in Ottawa, Monday July 6, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld The New Brunswick government is increasing the monthly financial support received by young people in the Youth Engagement and Young Adult Services program. The province announced Wednesday it would up its overall spending by nearly $1.2 million to support people aged 16 to 26 in care. That translates to a 19 per cent increase per person, or an extra $163 to $259 each month, beginning June 1. 'Every young person deserves the opportunity to succeed,' said Social Development Minister Cindy Miles in a news release. 'This investment is an intentional step to help youth and young adults thrive by giving them the support they need when they need it most – whether that's finishing their education, finding stable housing or entering the workforce.' The province says the program also provides like-skills training, mental health support and housing stability services with a goal of: reducing the number of young people relying on social assistance or experiencing homelessness increasing high school and post-secondary completion helping young people find long-term, meaningful employment 'This kind of investment is foundational for youth who have experienced care to achieve a stable transition to adulthood; it acknowledges the unique barriers they face and helps create a more equitable future,' said Melanie Doucet, director and project lead for the National Council of Youth in Care Advocates. 'Youth in and from care deserve a starting point that is equitable and above the poverty line and allows them to pursue their interests and dreams so that they can grow into thriving adults.' For more New Brunswick news, visit our dedicated provincial page.
RNZ News
3 days ago
- Business
- RNZ News
Youth homelessness advocate says Budget fails most vulnerable
General vision of homelessness in Auckland central city. Photo: RNZ / Luke McPake A youth homelessness advocate says this year's Budget delivered no support for young people , calling proposed changes to benefit access "cold" and "harsh". Manaaki Rangatahi Pou Arahi (chief executive) Bianca Johanson told RNZ she was hopeful the Budget would offer targeted relief for Māori and unemployed rangatahi (young people) - but that hope quickly faded. "We knew there wasn't going to be a lot for Māori," she said. "But we were hopeful there'd be something for rangatahi, seeing that such a high rate of them are unemployed... but we didn't see any alleviation." Johanson said, "Māori were ignored in this budget." "That has been disheartening." Manaaki Rangatahi is a national youth homelessness collective dedicated to ending youth homelessness in Aotearoa. It was established in 2018 as a way of consolidating the mahi of different organisations who are also trying to tackle youth homelessness. Johanson said the sector was seeing the impact of the cost of living crisis, particularly on youth facing housing insecurity - the majority of them Māori. "For us at Manaaki Rangatahi, we see homelessness, we see a lot of the struggle. People are really hurting." Minister for Social Development Louise Upston announced in this year's Budget that from July 2027, 18 and 19-year-olds would now have their Jobseeker and emergency benefits tested against their parents' incomes. The policy is forecast to save the government about $163 million over four years, but the income levels parents would be tested against have not yet been decided by Cabinet. Johanson said the proposed changes were likely to make things harder for the already most vulnerable. "If the rangatahi is the one that has to do all that advocacy for themselves, go and get their parents' details - this is a very complex situation. "There are so many people who are the 'working poor' having to support an 18 or 19-year-old on top of all their other expenses. It could actually drive rangatahi out of home." She fears the proposed changes could create more tension within households and push some youth into harm's way - such as crime and violence. "I see a lot of these decisions as causing more harm and putting rangatahi and whānau into stressful situations which can create harm. There's no way that this is going to create any kind of unity in the whānau, or support whānau to be together." "[Māori] are the head of really terrible statistics in Aotearoa - so this Budget and many of the policies that the government have brought forward, aren't exactly addressing them." She believed kaupapa Māori principles, like manaakitanga, should be at the forefront of decisions made by the government. "If we're looking at this government and the manaaki that they've shown to Māori, and to rangatahi, it's very absent," Johanson said. "We see culture as a solution and as a tool of healing. It is what heals our rangatahi in a lot of our youth housing programmes." Johanson says "youth homelessness is not in a straight line, it's not in a little tiny box," and a more tailored approach is needed to address it. Photo: Felix Walton/RNZ Johanson said as it stood, New Zealand did not have a strategy dedicated to support those that were the most vulnerable - rangatahi impacted by homelessness. "Rangatahi are our future and we're not investing in the future," she said. "We are damning our children and our rangatahi, the most vital, important people for our future as a country to what? Living on the streets? To be without work? To have really high mental health and suicide stats? I don't understand the logic." Upston previously said the purpose of the welfare system was to support those who needed it the most. "With this announcement, we're clearly saying that 18- and 19-year-olds who don't study or work and can't support themselves financially, should be supported by their parents or guardians, not by the taxpayer." Johanson believed this response was out of touch. "It's harsh, it's cold, "she said. "Most people in Aotearoa want to give others a fair go. But we've got kaumātua and kuia working into their 70s and 80s to survive. We've got rangatahi who've been born into homelessness, who don't know what it's like to have their own bedroom - and now we expect their parents to provide support too?" Louise Upston Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone In response, Upston said the government was "taking steps to make sure work, training or study is the focus for all young people". "This government recognises that the welfare system should be available for those who most need it. However, we aren't willing to watch any young New Zealanders get stuck on the benefit," she said. "Recent forecasts show that people under the age of 25 on Jobseeker Support will spend an average of 18 or more years on a benefit over their lifetimes - 49 percent longer than in 2017. That's why I prioritised Welfare that Works in Budget 2025." Upston said the "Welfare that Works" package included secure funding for two years of Community Coaches and bonus payments - "giving Jobseekers under 25 years more coaching, an assessment of their needs, an individual plan and holding them accountable for achieving that plan." In terms of the specific policy settings for the 18-19-year-old initiative, final decisions on the parental assistance test will be made later this year, including settings for access to hardship and supplementary assistance. "The design of the test is likely to take into account a range of considerations including (but not limited to) parents' income level, nature of relationship with the 18- or 19-year-old and circumstances such as whether the parent or guardian are in hospital or in prison." Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka. Photo: RNZ / REECE BAKER Minister for Māori Development and Associate Minister of Housing Tama Potaka said the government was investing in rangatahi Māori through education and housing initiatives. "The government is investing in rangatahi Māori through the overall increase in education funding as well as the extra investment in Māori education specifically, which includes additional funding for kura, te reo Māori proficiency and training for kaiako [teachers]. "Our aspirations are the same as those shared by many parents across the motu: we want to see all rangatahi make the most of their talents. That's why we're saying 18 and 19-year-olds who aren't working or studying should be supported by their parents or guardians, not the taxpayer." He said it was "wrong" to say the government did not care about housing for vulnerable young people. "Our housing policy has lifted hundreds of Māori whānau and tamariki out of dire emergency housing and into better homes. That can mean a world of difference for young people in terms of better health, regular school attendance or maintaining employment." Johanson was calling for the government to engage with those directly affected. "We always ask the government to come talk to us before they make some of these quite strange sanctions and expectations on whānau," she said. "We are the sector experts. Rangatahi are the experts. Come and talk to us." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Gulf Business
4 days ago
- Business
- Gulf Business
Hiring a domestic worker in Saudi? Here's what you must know
Image credit: Getty Images The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development in Saudi Arabia has launched a new 'CV Upload' service for domestic workers through the Musaned platform. Read- According to Advantages of the service The ministry explained that the service is an innovative model aimed at facilitating the selection of domestic workers based on their résumés and enabling a smoother, more efficient transfer of services. The process is fully automated, improving employers' access to workers already residing in the country. Through Musaned, domestic workers can upload their CVs once their contracts with their current employers end. These CVs include information such as job titles and prior experience, allowing prospective employers to search for and select candidates based on relevant skills and job requirements. This initiative also aims to protect the rights of both workers and employers. The service is part of the ministry's broader effort to develop the recruitment sector in Saudi Arabia. It follows a series of initiatives designed to safeguard the rights of all parties in the contractual relationship, including the Wages Protection Program for domestic workers, mandatory insurance, and the Unified Contract Program, which clearly defines the rights and obligations of both parties. Rights and protections for domestic workers Under Employing a domestic worker under the age of 21. Assigning a worker to tasks not specified in their contract or making them work for another employer. Discriminating against workers based on race, color, sex, religion, nationality, social or national origin, or disability. Engaging in any form of sexual harassment, verbal or physical. Subjecting workers to forced labor or any form of human trafficking. Causing physical harm to the worker. Violating the dignity of migrant workers. Obligations of Recruitment Offices in Saudi Arabia Recruitment companies and domestic worker recruitment offices must adhere to the following responsibilities, as outlined by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development: Inform workers of the nature of the job and their expected pay. Provide proof of the worker's health, psychological, and professional fitness. Conduct medical examinations within 30 days prior to the worker's entry into Saudi Arabia. Educate workers on Saudi customs, traditions, and public morals. Provide temporary housing and basic sustenance upon arrival until workers are handed over to employers. Offer proper housing and support in cases where workers refuse or are unable to work. Treat workers with dignity and avoid any form of violence. Inform workers about the appropriate authorities to contact in case of rights violations. Neither the office nor any third party may solicit or accept commissions or fees from domestic workers in exchange for securing employment. Conclude contracts with employers through mechanisms approved by the ministry. Contracts must include the employer's specifications and conditions for the recruited worker.
The Citizen
5 days ago
- Business
- The Citizen
Here's how much the Sassa CEO earns
Unlike private sector executives, the Sassa CEO has not received any performance bonuses during the 2023–24 or 2024–25 financial years. The Minister of Social Development, Nokuzola Tolashe, has revealed detailed information about the remuneration package of the Chief Executive Officer of the South African Social Security Agency (Sassa), which operates under her department. The Sassa CEO earns an annual package of R2.65 million, exceeding the prescribed salary band for director-general-level positions by over R100,000. Tolashe recently revealed the compensation details in response to a parliamentary question from DA MP Thamsanqa Bhekokwakhe Mabhena, who requested information about executive remuneration across entities reporting to her department. Social development executive compensation structure The Sassa CEO, appointed in 2019, earns a monthly basic salary of R154,583.33. Tolashe explained that the executive receives 'additional compensation payable to heads of department, which is 10% non-pensionable allowance in line with Clause 9.1 of Chapter One(1) of the SMS Handbook (amended in April 2003).' The package significantly surpasses the standard salary band of R2,259,984 to R2,545,854 applicable to salary level sixteen positions at the director-general level. Tolashe noted that 'the salary package offered by the Department of Social Development (DSD) to the CEO which she accepted in 2019; was compared and matched with the salary package she (the CEO) stated; she was receiving from her previous employer; this being in line with Regulation 44 (3) (d) of the Public Service Regulations,2016; as amended.' ALSO READ: Here's what some of South Africa's SOE bosses earn Sassa CEO hot seat Busisiwe Mamela joined Sassa from Postbank as CEO in 2019. She was suspended last year, reportedly on full pay, amid an investigation into her appointment. According to Tolashe, Memela's precautionary suspension was due to issues raised by the Public Protector. ALSO READ: 'Myriad of serious issues' – Why Sassa CEO Memela-Khambula has been suspended Themba Matlou was later appointed as the acting CEO. A job listing for the position of CEO was advertised this year, with suspicion that Memela may have been dismissed. Speaking to The Citizen, the department said the position was advertised in preparation for the end of Memela's term. The department also refused to comment on the outcome of the investigation. Performance bonuses discontinued Unlike private-sector executives, the Sassa CEO did not receive performance bonuses during the 2023-24 or 2024-25 financial years. Tolashe confirmed that 'no performance bonus (once-off) was paid to the CEO because the payment of performance bonus to public servants was discontinued in 2021/22 FY, per DPSA circular number 01 of 2019, which circular is applicable to Sassa.' However, the CEO does receive an annual service bonus equivalent to a thirteenth cheque worth R154,583.33, paid each November. This benefit applies universally across the public service as 'a transversal service benefit applicable to all employees in the organisation, and the public service.' ALSO READ: Social development didn't fill all its vacancies — Here's why Regulatory framework The minister emphasised that executive remuneration at Sassa operates under specific legislative requirements. 'Section 7(2) (b) of the Sassa Act (Act No. 9 of 2004) states that 'The Minister for the Public Service & Administration (DPSA) in consultation with the Minister of Social Development and the Minister of Finance; must determine the remuneration and conditions of service of the Chief Executive Officer and the other members of the staff of the Agency',' Tolashe stated. Comparative compensation The National Development Agency (NDA), another entity under the department's oversight, pays its acting CEO R2,646,522.52 annually through a total cost-to-company package. This structure allows employees to customise their benefits allocation based on individual needs. Like Sassa, the NDA has not paid performance bonuses since the 2019 DPSA circular, which discontinued such payments across the public service. Sassa social grant increases for 2025 Child support grants will increase from R530 to R560, and grant-in-aid will receive an identical increase. Beyond executive compensation, the department oversees significant social spending through various grant programs. National Treasury's 2025 Budget Overview confirmed increases across multiple social grants, though the Social Relief of Distress grant remains unchanged. The old age grant will increase from R2,185 to R2,315, while the war veterans grant will increase from R2,205 to R2,335. Disability grants will climb from R2,185 to R2,315, and foster care grants will increase from R1,180 to R1,250. The care dependency grant matches the disability grant increase, moving from R2,185 to R2,315. ALSO READ: Sassa grant increases and SRD extension in 'Budget 3.0': What you need to know SRD grant extension Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana announced during his Budget Speech that 'the temporary Covid-19 SRD grant will be extended until 31 March 2026, with R35.2 billion allocated to maintain the current R370 per month per beneficiary, including administration costs.' Godongwana indicated government is 'actively exploring various options to better integrate' the SRD grant with employment opportunities. 'This includes considering a job-seeker allowance and other measures, as part of the review of Active Labour Market Programmes. 'Our goal is to not only provide immediate relief. It is also to create pathways to employment, empowering our citizens to build better futures for themselves and their families,' he said. ALSO READ: Sassa offices 'reach capacity for the day'? We have no policy to turn people away, says agency Sassa beneficiary statistics Sassa manages grants for approximately 19.2 million beneficiaries, distributed across various programs. This amount is distributed among the beneficiaries as follows: The child support grant serves the largest population with 13.1 million recipients, Followed by 4.1 million old age grant beneficiaries and 1.05 million disability grant recipients. Smaller programs include: 515,553 grant-in-aid recipients, 213,425 foster care beneficiaries, 172,459 care dependency beneficiaries, and seven war veterans receiving grants. Meanwhile, the SRD grant, operating in its fifth cycle since the Covid-19 lockdown in 2020, currently assists approximately 9.2 million. The number includes all eligible South Africans, refugees, and asylum seekers. Treasury projects that social grant beneficiaries, excluding SRD recipients, will reach 19.3 million people by March 2028, with the grants budget increasing by R1.6 billion in the 2025-26 financial year. NOW READ: Early pay in May: Good news for Sassa SRD grant beneficiaries
Arabian Business
5 days ago
- Business
- Arabian Business
Saudi Arabia launches CV upload feature for domestic workers
Saudi Arabia announced the launch of a new CV upload service for domestic workers to ease workers' transfer among employers. The Saudi Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development said the 'CV Upload' service for domestic workers through the Musaned platform will allow employers to use it when transferring the service of a worker to another employer. #وزارة_الموارد_البشرية_والتنمية_الاجتماعية تطلق خدمة "رفع السيرة الذاتية" للعمالة المساندة (المنزلية) عبر منصة @Musaned_DL. — وزارة الموارد البشرية والتنمية الاجتماعية (@HRSD_SA) May 25, 2025 The service is an innovative model designed to facilitate the selection of workers based on their resume and to enable the smooth and streamlined transfer of services, the ministry said. The process is fully automated, enhancing employers' access to domestic workers already residing in the Kingdom, it added. Through Musaned, domestic workers can now upload their CVs once their contract with their current employer ends. The uploaded CVs include details such as job titles and acquired experience, allowing prospective employers to search and select candidates based on skills and job requirements. This measure also helps protect the rights of both workers and employers. The new service aligns with the ministry's broader efforts to develop the recruitment sector in the Kingdom. Previously, the ministry launched several initiatives to safeguard the rights of both parties in the contractual relationship, including the Wages Protection Programme for domestic workers, mandatory insurance, and the Unified Contract Programme, which is binding on both parties and clearly outlines their rights and obligations.
