Walk Alongside Meaningful work for the young worker

Social Justice Series No.18

Tutu ana te puehu Stirring up the dust photo: Jenny Rahman Jenny photo: Key principles of Catholic social teaching Human dignity: Every single person is created in the image of God, and is invaluable and worthy of respect as a member of the human family. It is from our human dignity that all other rights and responsibilities flow. Respect for human life: Human life at every stage is precious and therefore worthy of protection and respect. Human equality: Equality of all people comes from their inherent human dignity. Differences in talents are part of God’s plan, but social, cultural and economic discrimination are not. Preferential protection for the poor and vulnerable: Our Catholic tradition instructs us to put the needs of the poor and vulnerable first. It is especially important that we look at public policy decisions in terms of how they affect the poor. Association: The human person is not only sacred but also social. People achieve fulfilment by association with others – in families and other social institutions. Participation: People have a right and duty to participate in society, seeking together the well being of all. Everyone has the right not to be shut out of participating in those institutions necessary for human fulfilment, such as work, education and political participation. Common good: The common good is about respecting the rights and responsibilities of all people. The individual does not have unfettered rights at the expense of others, but nor are individual rights to be subordinated to the needs of the group. Solidarity: We are one human family. The principle of solidarity requires of us that we not concern ourselves solely with our own lives. Our responsibilities to each other call us to work globally for justice. Stewardship: We have a responsibility to care for the gifts that God has given us, including the environment, our personal talents and other resources. Universal destination of goods: The earth and all it produces are intended for every person. Private ownership is acceptable, but there is also a responsibility to ensure all have enough to live in dignity. Subsidiarity: No higher level of organisation should perform any function that can best be handled at a lower level by those who are closer to the R photo: Jenny Rahman Jenny photo: R E issues or problems, such as families or communities. V O C Walk Alongside Meaningful work for the young worker

NUMBER 18 IN THE CARITAS SOCIAL JUSTICE SERIES an hm a y R y nn photo: Je photo:

For Social Justice Week 2013 8-14 September

Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand 2013

1 ©CARITAS AOTEAROA NEW ZEALAND PO Box 12-193 Thorndon, Wellington 6144 New Zealand www.caritas.org.nz

‘Jesus himself came up and walked by their side ...’ On the road to Emmaus – Luke 24:15

Acknowledgements Research and writing:Cathy Bi Additional input: Lisa Beech, Matalena Leaupepe, Therese Kyne, Jaana Kahu, Paul Dalziel, Mark Barnard, Lee Tan, Lynne O’Brien Editing: Martin de Jong Photos: Jenny Rahman Additional photos: Emily Benefield, Cathy Bi Design: Miranda Lees

Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand would like to thank the people whose images and stories appear in this booklet: Ziska, Ka’isa, Zac, Nathan, Jessie, Gemma, Emily, Maria, Nicole, Ashlee, and the staff at Challenge 2000. This booklet and other Social Justice Week materials have been printed on paper produced from sustainable sources, after consideration of the options available to us to reduce the impact on the environment. This booklet is a contribution to the New Zealand Diversity Action Programme.

ISSN 1174-331X (Print) ISSN 2253-3362 (Online) ISBN: 978-0-908631-56-8 (Print) ISBN: 978-0-908631-57-5 (Online)

2 Contents Foreword from the New Zealand Catholic Bishops Conference 4 Introducing the young worker 7 The big picture of youth unemployment 8 A disadvantaged generation? 12 Challenges of finding the right job 14 Young people on the margins 15 A young and precarious class 18 A better path for our rangatahi 21 Dignity of the worker 22 A holistic approach 24 Walking together as a community 26 Conclusion 28 Principles of Catholic social teaching 29

This booklet is intended to assist Catholics and the wider community consider and reflect on Catholic social teaching on employment and the work environment for young people in the current context. It contains questions for individual reflection or group discussion. Other Social Justice Week material is available at: an hm

a www.socialjusticeweek.org.nz y R y nn

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FOREWORD From the New Zealand Catholic Bishops Conference Work is the most fundamental way of providing for our livelihoods and supporting those around us. Being in employment assists us to achieve our rights and meet our responsibilities. Through work we exercise and fulfil our potential as human beings. Life is very hard if you are without a job. In New Zealand, 6.9 per cent of the labour force is unemployed. This is a painful experience for people of all ages who wish to work and cannot find employment. It is difficult for people mid-career with families to support; it is stressful for older people who expected to build up savings towards retirement; it may seem an overwhelming barrier for immigrants trying to make a new life for themselves in this country. One group has been particularly hit hard by the present economic situation. Almost 45 per cent of those currently seeking work are between the ages of 15-24. Due to a population blip, 42,000 more young people entered the workforce at a time when there were fewer jobs as a result of the impact of the global financial crisis.

4 The New Zealand experience is part of a global trend – the International Labour Organisation (ILO) estimates that in 2013, over 75 million young people worldwide are seeking work. They warn that the young people experiencing unemployment now may face decades of disadvantage. Some young people unable to find work may have become disengaged from employment and education at an early age. However, there are also many who have worked hard and accumulated student loans to gain tertiary qualifications in areas like teaching for which there are insufficient jobs available. We know that young people seeking work in the current labour market need to draw on deep reserves of strength to keep looking for work. Receiving dozens or even hundreds of rejection letters will lead even the most motivated of us to question our identity and worth. This is especially disheartening for young people taking their first steps towards independent living. In addition to the difficulties of finding permanent work, many young people are entering a workforce where casualisation is becoming the norm. Casualisation involves juggling financial responsibilities and obligations around constantly changing shifts and hours of work. While some young people may welcome workplace flexibility, for others casualisation increases the difficulties of making ends meet. The way work is organised needs to respect human dignity, because work is made for people, not people for work. To young people experiencing difficulties in finding permanent, secure work, we say: do not give up hope. Do not define yourself solely by your success in seeking employment – keep up your studies, keep in touch with your families and community through activities in your parish, marae or neighbourhood. Outside your job-seeking activities, study and casual work, this may also be a time to engage in some voluntary work. As well as keeping up a good work record and opening the door to unforeseen possibilities, in doing something for others we can find new purpose and energy in our own lives. Each of you is a precious and valued member of our society. We are not giving up on you – please don’t give up on yourself. To employers, we say: do not give in to stereotypes that young people may be unreliable or unmotivated. Employers tell us that often their youngest employees exceed their expectations. Make a commitment

5 to give reliable and secure work to your young workers, and expect loyalty and commitment in return. Please do not assume that in a time of high unemployment, a gap on a Curriculum Vitae means a disengaged or unmotivated job seeker – it may point instead to a person who has already had to develop and call on their deepest motivation to keep looking for work. To our parishes and the wider community, we say: get to know the young people in your community who are looking for work. Talk to them about your experiences of work and support them in their job search. The statistics may seem overwhelming, but we can start with the young people we already know. A few years ago, a parish in the Wellington Archdiocese saw young men from refugee backgrounds in their parish having a particularly hard time finding work. They formed a job search club to assist eight young men to look for work – this included helping them with job application letters and preparation for interviews, and encouraging them to keep applying in the face of knock-backs. They were delighted to find that all of those they supported eventually gained employment. Reaching out to the community may be as simple as starting a conversation, or recognising that those that we share a pew with at Mass could be among unemployment statistics – unemployed, under-employed or casually employed young people. In Social Justice Week this year, it would be great if we all make an effort to talk to those around us about our experiences of work and of looking for work. We may all be surprised at what we learn from one other and how we can help one another.

New Zealand Catholic Bishops Conference, 2013 ✠ John Dew ✠ Colin Campbell Archbishop of Wellington Bishop of Dunedin President, NZCBC ✠ Charles Drennan ✠ Patrick Dunn Bishop of Palmerston North Bishop of Auckland ✠ Barry Jones Secretary, NZCBC Bishop of Christchurch ✠ Denis Browne ✠ Peter Cullinane Bishop of Hamilton Emeritus Bishop of Palmerston North 6 BI

Introducing the thy young worker ca photo: photo:

‘And then I would like to speak especially to you young people: be committed to your daily duties, your studies, your work, to relationships of friendship, to helping others ... do not view the future with fear. Keep your hope alive: there is always a light on the horizon.’ Francis, General Audience, 1 May 2013 Most of us can remember a time when we searched for work. All of us know what it is like to be young, to consider what we would do with ourselves. The step into adulthood is a scary and exciting one. For many young workers today, the question of ‘what do you want to do?’ is far from straightforward. Standing on the edge of independence, today’s young people face a difficult path to meaningful work. Jesus Christ worked many acts of miracle and healing, but also devoted a good portion of his life to manual labour as a carpenter. Christ’s work as a carpenter is no less meaningful than his work as the miracle maker. Meaningful work is work that enhances human dignity. It gives people enough to live on and leads towards life-long employment. As Pope John Paul II points out in his (letter) – On Human Work, work is for people and not people for work. Living in the context of a post-recession labour market, high global youth unemployment and a precarious workforce, young people are struggling to find meaningful work even if they have completed years of training and study. Unemployment is an injustice for the 75,000 young Kiwis aged 15 to 24 not in employment, education or training. For all generations the issues around youth employment are a concern. For a young person’s first experience of the work force to be unemployed is hugely scarring not only for the individual but also for the future of our nation. 7 an hm a y R y

The big picture of nn youth unemployment photo: Je photo:

‘Unemployment – the lack or loss of work – is a phenomenon that is spreading like an oil slick in vast areas of the west and is alarmingly widening the boundaries of poverty. Moreover there is no worse material poverty, I am keen to stress, than the poverty which prevents people from earning their bread and deprives them of the dignity of work.’ Pope Francis, Pro Pontifice Foundation, 25 May 2013 In 2007, New Zealand had the lowest unemployment rate in the OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development). Following the global economic crisis of 2009, many New Zealanders of all ages have experienced job insecurity. However unemployment has hit the youngest workers the hardest. Globally, 75 million young people are looking for a job. As general unemployment has begun to decrease, youth unemployment has remained high. According to the International Labour Organisation (ILO), in 2013, four years after the peak of the economic crisis, youth unemployment rates have remained close to crisis peak across the globe.

8 In 2012, one in six Kiwi youth (17.6 per cent) between the ages of 15 to 24 actively looking for work were unemployed (MBIE). This is 7.6 per cent higher than the youth unemployment rate five years ago. March 2013 figures from the Household Labour Force Survey show that Māori youth unemployment has reached 38.3 per cent – its highest level since the 1990s. ‘It is not easy to be young in the labour market today’ (ILO, 2013) In many OECD countries including New Zealand, irrespective of qualification, young people are struggling to find meaningful and appropriate work.

Employment rates in New Zealand, 2007-2012 (Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, MBIE)

65 60 55 50 45 40 35 30

e 25 P 20rcent 15 10 5 0 Dec 07 Dec 08 Dec 09 Dec 10 Dec 11 Dec 12

Youth Employment Rate (%) Total Employment Rate (%)

9 Unemployment

At first freedom The prospect of unending holiday. Then the hours turn into Amoeba-blob days. Drifting aimlessly Without hope of change.

Janette Hurrell – Age 23, 1989 From The River of Life an hm a y R y nn 10 photo: Je photo: Barriers to meaningful work for the young worker

F ewer jobs – Following the 2009 economic recession, the labour market is yet to recover to its pre-recession levels. Young people at the back of job queues are the first to miss out.

Baby blip generation – There are 42,000 more young people aged 20-25 currently entering the workforce in 2013 than five years ago.

Precarious work environment – Since the 1991 Employment Contracts Act, there has been a trend of increasing casualisation of New Zealand’s labour force. Recent policies such as the Starting Out Wage further push young people into low pay, low skill jobs with less protection and stability during economic recession.

Lack of workforce planning – There is a mismatch between supply and demand of skills and qualifications in the New Zealand labour force. There is a growing trend of over-education alongside under-education.

Employers’ attitudes – According to research done by the Labour and Immigration Research Centre, some employers are less likely to take on young people because they are perceived as a higher risk to hire with less proven work experience and work ethic.

11 an hm a y R y nn A disadvantaged generation? photo: Je photo: Work is an important part of life. Being able to put our hands to work, to create, to nurture and to provide is a significant part of what it means to be human. Since Adam and Eve were put to work in the Garden of Eden, work has been both an act of worship and a means to provide for one’s self and one’s loved ones. As Pope John Paul II said, ‘Work is a fundamental right of all human beings’. Work is an important and just way for a person to express their human dignity. It is something that is necessary. When a society has high unemployment, there is instability for the whole community. While the economy may recover and jobs become more abundant, the impacts for young people who move in and out of unstable work could carry over to the rest of their lives. According to the OECD (Social, Employment and Migration Working Papers No. 106, 2010), long spells of unemployment can lead to negative outcomes later in life including less job satisfaction and poorer health. A young person who is unemployed for an extended period of time will be seen as less employable even when there are more jobs around. For disadvantaged youths, experiences of unemployment can lead to further disengagement, criminal offending, substance abuse, teenage birth, homelessness and mental or physical illness (The New Zealand Institute – Discussion Paper 2011/1). Young people out of work often become reliant on their wider family or government social assistance. According to Matalena Leaupepe, Chief Advisor, Pasifika, MBIE, the high number of unemployed Pasifika youth is of concern. In a culture where family members support and rely on each other, a young person who is unemployed adds further strain to the family budget and can contribute to increased household debts. A whole generation struggling to find stable work may become disillusioned with the job market in New Zealand. Many skilled and ‘overqualified’ young people are going overseas to find work in the area that they are qualified for. It is the responsibility of the community and the government to consider the common good and the importance of young people for our common future. 12 Ziska’s story g islan W

My road towards employment has been a k off and on orf about 3 years. It’s been is challenging as. I’ve looked at many jobs and have applied for about 50 in total. Z photo: The key challenge of trying to find a job is that all employers are looking for people with experience, it’s hard to get experience if you don’t get given a chance to gain experience, even in entry jobs such as café or retail work. Another challenge is a lot of jobs require a full driver’s licence. I grew up in a family where I never got taught how to drive. Being unemployed means that I don’t have the finances to get lessons let alone a car. The main help I’ve received has been help that I’ve pursued. Work and Income connected me with a community organisation where I meet with a person who helps me apply and look at potential job options. I also received the opportunity to go and do an Outward Bound Course which helped boost my confidence and motivation and received a report which helps with my C.V. Since leaving school with NCEA Level 2 I have done a Certificate of Social Services and a Certificate of Applied Theology. I have done a variety of volunteer jobs and been employed by Countdown and McDonalds in the past. I currently have a few cleaning jobs on the go which I got through church connections and word of mouth. I think that is the best way of getting a job. To be able to get off the benefit I need to work full time. At the moment I continue to apply for any job I can, realising that first off you won’t necessarily get the type of work that you want to make a career out of.

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Challenges of finding the right job

[Unemployment] is particularly painful when it especially affects young people, who after appropriate cultural, technical and professional preparation fail to find work, and see their sincere wish to work and their readiness to take on their own responsibility for the economic and social development of the community sadly frustrated. Pope John Paul II: Ecclesia in Oceania, 2001 Young people today want to work and many are willing to work very hard if only they were given the opportunity. In New Zealand 110,000 people consider themselves ‘under employed’ – wanting more work hours and not being able to find it. This is particularly the case for young people unable to secure stable full time work. Frog Recruitment, a recruiting agency, estimate that 40 per cent of unemployed young people are recently qualified tertiary graduates (2011). The number of new entry jobs has remained low in the last few years. Nicole completed her Certificate of Teaching in 2012 with Victoria University. Towards the end of the year the Ministry of Education announced to her class there were only enough jobs for 20 per cent of primary teaching graduates. ‘I want to be a teacher because I know that’s what I want to do but I would have put it off a couple of years if I knew there were no jobs around,’ she says. After spending $8,000 for a one-year course and accumulating a student loan of up to $50,000, Nicole is still not in the job she studied for. She felt misled by the advertising put out by TeachNZ that gave the impression that there is a huge need for teachers. ‘Every time I see the ads for teachers’ college, it just makes me so angry.’ Tertiary Education Union spokesperson Stephen Day says that there are ways to predict the number of teachers that are needed through looking at birth rates, but workforce planning is almost non-existent in New Zealand (Listener, May 18, 2013). 14 Young people on the margins Work has a place of honour because it is an instrument towards building the conditions for a decent life. Therefore it is also a tool against poverty. Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church #257 Youth Not in Employment, Education or Training (NEET) is a statistical category used to identify at risk young people. Those in NEET are seen as at risk of missing out on important opportunities and falling through the gaps. Young people may be in NEET as a result of the choices they make to volunteer, travel or look after children, but many have limited choice about being out of the labour force. Even prior to the economic recession, there was concern for New Zealand’s high NEET figures for Māori and Pasifika youth (Equal Employment Opportunities Trust report: Youth labour force trends, issues and solutions, 2011). In times of recession when opportunities are few, there is a greater risk of disengaged young people losing out. Therese Kyne, a youth worker with Challenge 2000 (Catholic youth agency, Johnsonville) notes that young people who are on the margins tend to face a range of barriers to education and employment. ‘There are challenges at home ... either they are not living with their family or they have conflict with mum and dad ...’

Young people who are referred to Challenge 2000 Youth Not in Employment, Education or may struggle with trauma Training (NEET) in New Zealand by ethnicity and mental health issues. from 2008 to 2012 (MBIE, 2012) These young people need a holistic wrap-around service that help them 25 reach their goals and 20 move into training or 15 employment. In particular, e mentorship and positive P 10rcent role models are key in 5 supporting these young 0 people. Dec 08 Dec 09 Dec 10 Dec 11 Dec 12 European Māori Pacific 15 an hm a y R y nn 16 photo: Je photo: Starting with education Matalena Leaupepe, Chief Advisor, Pasifika, MBIE, traces unemployment back to education. ‘On average Pasifika young people are leaving school with lesser qualifications than their counterparts. Fewer Pasifika young people are entering University. This means that they tend to enter lower paid and lower skilled jobs which makes them vulnerable during an economic recession.’ According to Ministry of Education statistics, only 25 per cent of year 13 Pasifika students gained University Entrance in 2009, compared to 53 per cent for non-Pasifika students. Recently, more Pasifika students are attending University through bridging programmes. Lloyd Martin, founder of Praxis, a youth worker training network, identifies that difference in cultural capital can be a huge barrier to success in education (The Invisible Table, 2001). The education system is not culturally neutral. The extent to which the culture of the school overlaps with the culture of young people at home will often influence how successful a child will be in the school system. A report by Benseman et al, (Retaining non-traditional students, 2006) notes Pasifika university students can feel torn between family obligations and their studies. Having supportive teachers can often make a big difference. In 2008, 84.4 per cent of Māori students in Māori/bilingual schools met both the literacy and numeracy requirements for NCEA Level 1 compared with 68.4 per cent of Māori students at English only schools. Since 1992, the number of kura kaupapa Māori (Māori language immersion schools) has increased from 13 to 88 in 2009. The unique potential and cultural capital of Māori and Pasifika young people are still to be fully realised in the current education system. Access to education and opportunities could provide another barrier. Looking at the 2006 New Zealand Deprivation Index there are high numbers of Māori youth living in areas of greater deprivation and lower opportunity. Jaana Kahu, youth representative of Te Rūnanga o Te Hāhi Katorika (Māori Catholic Council) observed young people pursuing higher education, ‘have to leave home in order to move up in the world. There are hardly any tertiary training courses in a town like Kaikoura.’ 17 A young and precarious class

Since the deregulation of the New Zealand labour market in the early 1990s, there has been an increase in non-standard and insecure work including casual, part-time, and temporary work. Jobs with little protection and security are often referred to as precarious work. The increase of precarious work affects workers of all ages, but those entering the workforce for the first time are more vulnerable. In 2008, 42 per cent of casual workers were between the ages of 15-24. While casual and temporary work is flexible and sometimes desired by young people, it is also problematic as casual workers have less stability and protection in the work place. Temporary contract work can be a stepping stone for some young people into more stable work, but for others it is simply a dead end. The Australian Council of Trade Unions identified insecure work as poor quality work that offers little economic security with unpredictable pay. It includes work with irregular and unpredictable work hours, and uncertainty over the duration of the job. Often workers have little say in work conditions and organisation of the work place. The rise of insecure work is the result of a business model that shifts risks from the employer to the employee (Listener, May 18, 2013). In New Zealand, policies such as the 90-day trial period further undermine the job security of employees. Employers are not required to give any reasons for the dismissal

an of a worker within the trial period. hm a

y R y nn 18 photo: Je photo: In New Zealand there is no formal definition of a ‘casual’ worker in employment regulations. In some cases, a worker may not know if they have work until the day that they are required. The worker is expected to have flexibility and be available at all times. Under a casual contract, there is no guarantee of shifts unless agreed upon previously. A manager is able to give more shifts to one worker over another without reason. Workers are fearful to speak up in the work place in case they lose shifts. In times of high unemployment, it is especially difficult for workers to negotiate contracts. People are more likely to accept jobs on the employer’s terms even if it is unreasonable or unsuitable. For a young person entering the work place for the first time, the transition into employment can feel disempowering as they have little say in their work place and can be discriminated against as a young person. Ashlee (17) from Hutt Valley High School says she ‘feels like it’s not your place’ to speak up when treated unjustly. Some key barriers to young people expressing their needs and speaking up include not knowing their legal rights and feeling like their age and lack of experience stands in the way of being heard. While the first experience of entering the workforce and stepping into independence should be empowering, for some young people it can be very overwhelming and discouraging. It is important for workers of all ages to stand together and offer guidance as well as justice to the young worker entering the workforce.

19 BI thy

Youth wage is ca

not a just wage photo: Recently the government has responded to youth unemployment by reintroducing a youth minimum wage called the Starting Out Wage. Employers can pay young workers 80 per cent of the adult minimum wage during their first six months of employment. It can apply to all 16 and 17 year olds and 18 and 19 year olds if they have been on the unemployment benefit for more than six months. Economically there are conflicting arguments about whether or not this policy helps to create more jobs and if it truly benefits the young unemployed. Regardless, the Starting Out Wage makes a sweeping general assumption that young people do not need a living wage. It assumes that the work of a young person is worth less than the same work of an older person. The Catechism of the Catholic Church (#2434) states ‘a just wage is the legitimate fruit of work’. This just wage should be enough for the worker to meet basic living costs. According to Statistics New Zealand, in 2006, 23.7 per cent of 15-19 year olds were not living at home with their parents. As the cost of living continues to increase, decreasing the pay of young people, including some who support themselves and their family, is to overlook the common good. For some young people dependent on public transport, it is costly simply to get to work. Maria Castro has been working since the age of 14. Her family’s financial situation is a constant source of insecurity. Both her parents started out working for little above the minimum wage with three children to support. By the age of 18, Maria had worked at over 20 jobs to support her family in New Zealand and her extended family in the Philippines. Maria’s story is not unique. Caritas interviewed young workers for a submission on the Starting Out (youth) Wage. One participant, Lo Lani, commented that she and many of her friends would frequently contribute their wage to family expenses. There are better ways to respond to youth unemployment that will not undermine the rights of young people to a living wage. 20 A better path for our rangatahi

Lincoln University economics professor Paul Dalziel argues that in order to have a skilled workforce, there are three elements required: individual abilities, education investment and employment investment. The skills of an individual will depend not only on their abilities and training but also opportunities to use that knowledge in employment. In New Zealand, there are missing links between these different elements. Young people are unable to fully access employment opportunities and many train in areas where opportunity is scarce. In order to have a skilled workforce, there needs to be investment in all three areas: • Engaging the individual and helping young people realise their natural abilities and potentials. • Investment in relevant and accessible education in areas where there is a demand for workers. • Investment in creating more stable employment opportunities that take advantage of the strengths of an under-utilised youthful workforce.

Employment Opportunities

Skills

Individual Education Abilities Investment

A Stylised Model of Employees, Paul Dalziel (Education Employment Linkages, Research Report 11, 2012)

21 an hm a y R y nn Dignity of the worker photo: Je photo:

‘We must pay more attention to the one who works than to what the worker does. The self-realisation of the human person is the measure of what is right and wrong.’ Pope John Paul II: Laborem Exercens, #6 The concept of human dignity expressed in the papal (letters) Rerum Novarum – On New Things (1893) and Laborem Exercens – On Human Work (1981) flies in the face of the culture of our day. In a world where productivity and profit is paramount and we are defined by our profession, Laborem Exercens tells us that the human person is the measure of the dignity of work. It is the person that is engaged with the work that determines its value and quality. Whether you are a labourer or the Prime Minister, before God, your work title is irrelevant. Human work has an intrinsic social dimension. A person’s work is naturally connected with the work of other people. Today ‘more than ever, work is work with others and work for others.’ (Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church #273) There is an intrinsic interconnectedness of all workers across professions and across borders. If we think about the numerous other workers it takes for us to do our work, we realise that we are all interdependent. From the cleaners who come early in the morning to the farmers that grow our food – without them, we would not be able to do the work that we do. New Zealand prides itself as an egalitarian society. But our precarious class – people living on insecure or casual work is growing larger. In times of economic recession, it is important to ensure that the dignity of the most vulnerable workers is protected. In Pope Francis’s speech on the Feast of St Joseph the Worker (1 May 2013), he called for greater social solidarity in the face of unemployment, seeking just and wise policies. In difficult times, it is important to care for the dignity of the person and not to lose hope. As the young worker is bombarded with messages of negative prospects and harsh economic realities, it is essential that the church walk beside young people in this critical time. 22 Ka’isa’s story One of my first jobs was working as a cleaner at a home for the elderly. There was a very strong union presence there and the managers even gave me the papers to sign up for the union when I was signing my contract. I didn’t think much of it and didn’t see the point of joining the union at the time. The home for the elderly was a pleasant place to work. I was able to go to work, do my job properly and then go home without any issues. I took all of this for granted. It wasn’t until I started a second job at a hotel that I realised how lucky I really was at the home for the elderly. Unlike the home for the elderly there was no union presence. When I started, I found we were not provided the cleaning products and tools we needed to do our job properly. My hours constantly changed without notice. I felt as if I was doing my job to the best of my ability, but every day I would be told off or put down by the manager. I didn’t want to question the boss even though I knew he was wrong. My fellow workmates felt the same as me. I was the youngest employee there and so to see my older workmates just as scared as me did not make me feel secure. My uncle suggested I join the Service and Food Workers Union so that if I ever did feel like I needed union advice or a union representative to support me with any disputes at the hotel I could easily do that. I joined the union then and became involved in the work of unions. My experience at the hotel did improve and I felt more confident being able to give advice and support my fellow workmates. The manager continued to put me down every day saying I was lazy and useless – until I handed in my resignation after two years of working there when he told me I was his best worker and asked me to stay to train new staff! I see the main point of unions as creating and upholding the dignity of workers in their jobs.

23 A holistic approach ‘Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues with injustice.’ Proverbs 16:8 When talking about issues of unemployment, it is easy to fall into a trap of blaming the victim. The responsibility of supporting our young people lies with everyone – the government, businesses, schools, iwi/hapū, the Church, and families. In New Zealand, the Youth Guarantee Programme, a government initiative, seeks to facilitate the transition between school, tertiary training institutes and work. Young people who go through programmes such as Gateway and CadetMax under the Youth Guarantee Programme have had a good success rate, however only three out of ten young people who apply are accepted into the scheme (Equal Employment Opportunities Trust: Diversity in Action, 2011). Researcher Jane Higgins in Labour Market Programmes for Young People (2003) highlights that it is important for the development of stronger social partnerships between employers, trade unions, education providers and the government to improve school to work pathways. The current government’s approach of focusing entirely on investing in training programmes for young Māori and Pasifika students is not enough. What would be the point of young people completing an apprenticeship simply to enter a youth waged or minimum waged job where they are struggling to pay living expenses? In recent years there has been growing iwi involvement responding to high Māori youth unemployment. South Island iwi Ngāi Tahu announced plans to set up an apprenticeship hub to channel young unemployed Māori into jobs for the Christchurch rebuild following the 2011 earthquake (Radio New Zealand News, 20 March 2013). Employers and business have a responsibility to step up and take social responsibility to consider the place of young workers in their workplace. The New Zealand Business Council for Sustainable Development encourages business to get involved in training and mentorship programmes as well as engaging in conversation with education providers to tackle the issue of youth unemployment.

24 Have you ever seen how a blossom grows? It all starts from a very small seed, It takes time to grow. It needs love, it needs water, It needs sunshine. Then before you know it There it is – a beautiful flower! Does it ever remind you That is how we are? Just like that blossom How we grow and grow to the beautiful person That we are now

By: Sheree Under the Bridge – Voices from the Street A project of Steps Outreach Services working with homeless youth

. an hm a y R y nn 25 photo: Je photo: Walking together as a community Catholic social teaching calls us to work for the common good, which is the good of all of us. A Nigerian proverb that states ‘it takes a whole village to raise a child’ reflects this. We are called to be one family, one whānau where the dignity and rights of every person are accepted. As part of the whānau of Aotearoa, we are all responsible for the upbringing of young Kiwis. According to Larson and Brendtro (Reclaiming Our Prodigal Sons and Daughters, 2000) a young person ideally needs to have six significant and stable relationships with adults to develop well and build resilience. In many situations, the young people who are successful in finding employment and pursuing just and meaningful work are those who are the most connected to their community. Now more than ever, young people need the encouragement of their wider community and of the church. According to Mark Barnard, Praxis Managing Director, there has been a ‘systematic erosion of institutions that influence [young] people’s lives such as schools, church, clubs, family ... where can young people learn skills of work ethics before they enter the work force?’. The traditional spaces that help form and grow young people are becoming increasingly disconnected. Young people are hungry for a sense of purpose and meaning. We need more caring positive adult role models to walk young people through the transitions into adulthood and into meaningful work. Pope John Paul II explains in Laborem Exercens that work is an obligation on the part of being a human being. It is important for young people to learn about their responsibility and duty as a worker as well as their rights and dignity as a worker. There is something that we can all do.

26 Where to begin? Start with the self Remember what it is like to be a young person. Who are the key people in our life that helped shape who we are? How can we be that person to the younger generation around us? Start with family Take the time to get to know the young people in our wider families, to seek to listen and encourage rather than to lecture. Share our hopes and dreams with each other and give from our own experiences. Start with the work place Who are the young people that we work with? What support and encouragement might be needed? How can we help develop our work ethic and empower young people to voice their struggles and ideas? Start in the parish Who are the young people that are in our parish? How can we show them that they are valued? How can we provide opportunities for young people to work and contribute to the parish? How do we celebrate and challenge young people into adulthood? Start in the community Who are the young people in our community who are disengaged? How can we re-engage the youth in our community? What service and support could we provide for young people who are looking for work? How can we be family to those who struggle to identify with their immediate family? Start with our country What are the policies that affect our young people and their future? How can we stand in solidarity with young people for greater justice for our young people? How can we demand more protection and support for workers – young and old – in national policy?

27 an hm a y R y

Waiho i te toipoto, nn kaua i te toiroa photo: Je photo: Let us keep close together, not wide apart In Tū Kahikatea (2006), the New Zealand Catholic Church’s framework for youth ministry, the Church recognises that young people are at the heart of Church life. Young people are as much the Church of today as the Church of tomorrow. Therefore as a Church, we are all called to recognise and celebrate those who are young and support each other through transitions in life. Pope Francis calls us to stand in solidarity with young workers in the face of harsh economic realities. During difficult economic times, young people are often the ones to miss out on important opportunities. How we choose to respond to the challenges young people face today will determine our future together. Unemployment has affected us all, but in particular, young people. We need to focus on the dignity and the experience of the young worker as the centre of our response. Entering work in whatever shape or form is an essential part of a young person’s growth as a person and as an act of self-realisation. Pope Francis (2013) said: ‘When society is organized in such a way that not everyone has the opportunity to work ... then there is something wrong with that society: it is not right! It goes against God himself.’ We all have a choice and power to influence our future. While events like economic recessions may be out of our control, we can each organise and choose our own response. We need to move towards a future where everyone can have a chance of decent and meaningful work. E te Matua, Father, help us to remember that we all know what it is like to be young and to need someone to walk alongside us. Give us the courage and the wisdom to know how to walk alongside our young workers as you walked alongside your disciples.

28 Key principles of Catholic social teaching Human dignity: Every single person is created in the image of God, and is invaluable and worthy of respect as a member of the human family. It is from our human dignity that all other rights and responsibilities flow. Respect for human life: Human life at every stage is precious and therefore worthy of protection and respect. Human equality: Equality of all people comes from their inherent human dignity. Differences in talents are part of God’s plan, but social, cultural and economic discrimination are not. Preferential protection for the poor and vulnerable: Our Catholic tradition instructs us to put the needs of the poor and vulnerable first. It is especially important that we look at public policy decisions in terms of how they affect the poor. Association: The human person is not only sacred but also social. People achieve fulfilment by association with others – in families and other social institutions. Participation: People have a right and duty to participate in society, seeking together the well being of all. Everyone has the right not to be shut out of participating in those institutions necessary for human fulfilment, such as work, education and political participation. Common good: The common good is about respecting the rights and responsibilities of all people. The individual does not have unfettered rights at the expense of others, but nor are individual rights to be subordinated to the needs of the group. Solidarity: We are one human family. The principle of solidarity requires of us that we not concern ourselves solely with our own lives. Our responsibilities to each other call us to work globally for justice. Stewardship: We have a responsibility to care for the gifts that God has given us, including the environment, our personal talents and other resources. Universal destination of goods: The earth and all it produces are intended for every person. Private ownership is acceptable, but there is also a responsibility to ensure all have enough to live in dignity. Subsidiarity: No higher level of organisation should perform any function that can best be handled at a lower level by those who are closer to the R photo: Jenny Rahman Jenny photo: R E issues or problems, such as families or communities. V O C Walk Alongside Meaningful work for the young worker

Social Justice Series No.18

Tutu ana te puehu Stirring up the dust photo: Jenny Rahman Jenny photo: