It is a tough time for students. Unemployment is expected to rise from 7.6% to 13%. This has directly impacted students. As more people become unemployed, more people will go on Jobseeker and Youth Allowance. The government decided that the increase in welfare payments due to COVID-19 pandemic will be reversed in September.
Unemployment is also proven to have serious implications on people’s mental health. Especially during this break, since students can’t use their spare time to find some temporary job or seek more hours at work to be productive. Our collective has worked together to create a factsheet of necessary hotlines and online materials to assist students with a multitude of mental illness and domestic issues, with advice from the SSU. We are also dedicated to enhancing the mental health of students by partnering with organisations within and outside of UTS so that students are better equity to deal with mental health.
Finally, the Welfare Collective will continue to fight for suitable and accessible Multi-Faith Rooms, including prayer rooms around campus. Students of multiple faiths have expressed the importance of suitable and easily accessible faith rooms, particularly Muslim students who partake in 5 daily prayers. Lack of accessible faith rooms could see some students pray in awkward and unhygienic places around campus. This is of particular importance as some students will resume classes in the spring session. Students of other faiths, including Christians, have also expressed the importance of accessible faith rooms, to enhance their sense of belonging and togetherness at UTS.
