This article is really irresponsible, and crosses the point of no return when it comes to "going beyond what's written", although that's not something new for the WT. Matter of fact it's typical, although the language is a lot stronger with this one. The thing that kills me about this is, while they do everything in their power to devalue the quality of life for that of their pew, they're not providing any services to assist the average down on their luck JW other than printing the same song and dance of rehashed articles.
My father who's a die-hard JW always told me as a young man that "you have to do what you have to do for yourself, because they don't give a dern about you", they being the WT. I hate organized religion with a passion, yet some organizations do actually contribute some good on behalf of their people in the tradition of the widows looked out for in Acts. I work closely with the local Catholic Charities branch where I reside as they're one of our clients. The services that they provide not only to their own, but the whole community is something they're to be commended for. Even on their website they state that their services are for anyone regardless of religious affiliation. The WT on the other hand can't/won't provide any services to those of their own religious affiliation, and at the same time they pressure JWs to devalue their lives!
Even the encouragement that they offer is like salt in the wound. Can't find a job for lack of a degree? That's great because it gives you more time to pioneer!! You just turned 18 and your parents are giving you the boot because you didn't get baptized and can't find a place to stay? Well don't ask the WT for any housing or apartment assistance despite the millions to billions they're raking in off of real estate. Should have got baptized if you knew what was good for you brat!! Should have been like our version of Timothy! Didn't you watch the Drama last year where we took creative license upon ourselves to fill in the blanks regarding Timothy's life?!?!?
About 3/4 of the elders I know personally are self emlpoyed themselves or work for another brother. I know the figures aren't that high everywhere, but of the ones I know, that's been the case.
The body at our congregation is comprised of 11 men, 6 of which have their own businesses, and 3 of those businesses currently employ active JWs. Also of note, I've seen firsthand how relationships within the congregation have been strained because of what comes with the territory of JWs working for other JWs. A brother told me firsthand that had he continued working for the one brother it would have impossible for him to remain friends with him.