Capitalism takes it out on working class kids

Vanguard September 2014 p. 3

When the capitalist system slides from boom to bust, jobs dry up and the ruling class implements harsh austerity measures to cut social programs and crush working class discontent.

This is happening right now in Australia, with the Abbott-Hockey austerity budget and the introduction of new state and federal laws restricting democratic rights and public protests. The ruling class knows many people are angry and is beefing up its tools of repression.

While thousands of workers are losing jobs due to recession cut-backs, out-sourcing, takeovers and mergers, even greater numbers of young workers are unable to find jobs at all when they leave school, TAFE or university.

Official unemployment went from 6.1% in June to 6.4% in July, the highest since 2002 and more than the United States level of 6.2%. Of course, these figures are based on the woolly notion that one hour a week’s work means a person is no longer counted as ‘unemployed’. 

A more realistic measure of unemployment is the Bureau of Statistics quarterly figure which adds in the under-employed who are looking for more work – the casual and part-time workers, including the many young people working in cafes and take-away joints.

These figures show an under-employment rate of 7.5%, in addition to the 6.4%, giving a current overall rate of 13.9% or thereabouts.

Young people have been hit the hardest. For young people not in full-time study, this year alone has seen unemployment of people aged 15-19 reach 19.3%, nearly one in five.

Globalisation policies (imperialism) and de-industrialisation have wiped out thousands of jobs. Many workers have skills and experience, but can’t find work to support young families and meet their commitments.

To add to the misery of unemployment the government has made it incredibly hard to qualify for benefits – it’s Work for the Dole, apply for 40 jobs each month, and nothing at all for six months if you’re under 25. 

Behind these facts and statistics is the frustration and anger of hopes and dreams denied, future plans destroyed, lives up-rooted, human tragedies. 

But young people also have great reservoirs of optimism and determination. They are finding ways to organise and demand a better deal – there have been impressive student rallies against fee hikes and cuts to courses.

More unions have encouraged young activists, but parliamentarism and factional manipulation prevails all too often. Young people totally reject this.

There is a need to draw in more working class youth to build a powerful movement for change. We should encourage young workers to join the March Australia rallies on Saturday 30^th and Sunday 31^st. in the capital cities.