Unemployment, hunger and homelessness are just one step away

“Are you just one step away from benefit dependency, addiction, hunger and unemployment?” This is the question being asked by Hamilton Council of Christian Social Services and Poverty Action Waikato at a gathering in Garden Place, Hamilton next Friday, 16 December at 1pm. The reality of deepening vulnerability, witnessed by many social service agencies, has motivated the gathering. Increased numbers of people are accessing social services because they are simply not able to sustain themselves, and/or their children and families.

“These are desperate times. The costs of food, housing, power, and unmanageable debt are sending people to us who have never experienced vulnerability before. Inequality is making it impossible for more and more people to afford the basics. The wealthy can afford increasing costs, but many can’t and they are turning to the community sector for help” says Karen Morrison-Hume, Missioner, Anglican Action.
Poverty Action Waikato’s latest report describes increasing demands for food parcels; persistent and increasing disparities between incomes; and increasing numbers of disconnected young people in the Waikato. In the world the richest 1% of people control 40% of its wealth, whilst people still die every day from lack of basic needs.

In New Zealand more than half the wealth of the country belongs to the wealthiest 10% of the people. A recent OECD report “Divided We Stand: Why Inequality Keeps Rising” confirms that New Zealand has one of the fastest growing gaps between rich and poor. Increases in part-time and low-paid work, falling benefit levels, and cuts in top tax rates for high-earners are cited as the main drivers of rising inequality within the OECD.

“Inequality divides us and fractures our communities. When so much wealth is in the control of so few the rest of us are vulnerable. Our young people, our children, all of us need certainty. We need to know that in hard times we will be okay.” says Rose Black from Poverty Action Waikato.

Within OECD countries, tax and benefit systems play a major role in reducing market-driven inequality, but have become less effective at redistributing income since the mid-1990s. Inequality in the Waikato increased significantly between 1989 and 2006 with a larger proportion of income going to already wealthy households. Benefits rates were cut significantly in 1991.

Join the 99% to make a stand for equality, justice and equity. “Our tax and welfare system was founded on ensuring that social security was available for each and every one of us. We need to maintain these foundations. Most of us are only one step away from unemployment, benefit dependency, addictions, debts, hunger and homelessness. We are calling for people to come and join us in Garden Place Hamilton on Friday 16th December from 1-4pm. Our hope is that in realising our vulnerability we will pull closer together to make a call for greater equality” says Rose Black.