April 30, 2018
Second class treatment for WINZ clients
A woman at the frontline of social services says Work and Income has developed a toxic culture and needs a complete overhaul.
Advocates are hoping for some relief in this month's Budget, including removing some of the sanctions that WINZ staff impose on beneficiaries.
Veronica Henare, the manager of Manukau Urban Maori Authority’s Whanau Ora programme, says it’s not just about money but also the attitude WINZ staff bring to the job.
"Our people are treated like second class citizens. Why is it that only when they have a social worker that advocates on their behalf that all of a sudden things get done. It’s not fair. Our people are not treated fairly in a lot of these Work and Income offices," she says.
Veronica Henare says she has seen cases where the department refuses to give people the help they are entitled to, and then sends them to community groups like MUMA for emergency assistance.
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