Crossword Genius

Unemployed one gets appropriate payment, nothing less (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

idle

'unemployed' is the definition.
('idle' can be similar in meaning to 'unemployed')

I don't understand how the rest of the clue works.

(Other definitions for idle that I've seen before include "Not active or at work" , "out of a job" , "Without work" , "staying in bed all day?" , "Trivial" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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