Okay I'm going to talk about my time being "case managed" by @SarinaRusso and some of the things that happened to me and people around me.

1. I started a bookkeeping course (my choice) to improve my prospects. Was told by my case manager that she had the perfect job for me due to this. It was a forklift operator position.
Was told if I didn't apply, I'd lose my payment.

2. While I was in the waiting room, a woman came in and asked reception if someone could help her go over her CV and make it better. Receptionist said "We don't do that here"
YOU SHOULD.

3. During a mandatory "Job seeker" course, the manager of the branch came in to speak to us. She reduced a young man to tears insisting he talk about his time as a soldier in Iraq although he calmly stated he didn't wish to discuss it.

She then went on to individually tell each of us we were a waste of government money, lazy and not trying to find work.

4. At one point there was a job advertised at that branch. I asked my case manager (a different one to the forklift one) if I should apply. He *teared up* and shook his head. He left shortly after and I hope he's doing well, he was a nice guy.

5. I attended a mandatory "Job Seeker" session where i was handed a copy of the local paper and a pen and told to apply for two of the jobs listed. There were about 20 jobs listed, none of which I was qualified for.

6. When I found a job (no thanks to them) I had a phone call demanding the information of who hired me, how I found the job etc so they could claim it for their government money.

I have been through the @SarinaRusso mill twice and NEITHER time was ANY useful help given, just threats of stopped payments and being told I was useless for not yet finding work.

In short I fully support the #MOstrike because mutual obligations serve no purpose except to punish.

I've been having a think overnight and there is more. Everything SR does - everything - comes with a threat of stopping payment or having to return payments made.
Can't make an appointment? Stop payments.
Didn't finish a pointless course? Stop payments.

I don't know if this is still the case, but once you make "Initial Contact", which you must do pretty soon after applying for the dole, you are sent away for a few months. "We can help you after 4 months" they say.

Everything is a threat of punishment. Nothing at all is done with the interest of the person they're supposed to be helping, it's entirely about their power over you.