NEW UNEMPLOYMENT benefit laws will toughen up the criteria by which claimants can claim dole money.
Under the new legislation, which is awaiting ratification by the President of the Republic, a limited number of employees made redundant from the same company will have the right to claim unemployment benefit.
The new law also stipulates a series of new regulations that the unemployed must satisfy in order to qualify for benefits, including proving that they are actively seeking work at an employment centre via applications for jobs.
They must be prepared to attend professional training courses in order to help them get back into the employment market. They will also have to be prepared to work on social or public community schemes organised by either the public or private sectors. Those receiving social security will have to report fortnightly at employment centres and social security offices to demonstrate how they are actively seeking work.
