Secure and well-paid jobs for all! Every worker must be guaranteed a well-paid and secure job and an annual income sufficient to raise a family in comfort. The first step in achieving job and income security is to end the pauperisation of the unemployed. The SEP demands that unemployment benefits be raised to the level of a proper living wage, at the expense of the employers and the government, with all eligibility restrictions, waiting times, and limitations removed. All work-for-the-dole schemes must be abolished and replaced by proper educational programs and retraining schemes on full wages and all government harassment of the unemployed must cease. All school leavers over the age of 18 must be provided with full benefits until they have found a well-paid job. The SEP insists that all decisions concerning employment, wages, working conditions, safety and benefits be subject to the democratic control of the working class. One of the first measures that must be taken is to reduce the working week to 30 hours, with no loss of pay. At the same time a multi-billion dollar program of public works must be launched to create tens of thousands of new jobs. Its priorities would be the construction and upgrading of schools, low-cost housing, hospitals, libraries, museums, recreation centres, parks and modern public transport. Back