To be purple with rage over workfare

[HoneyandHaycorns]

Sorry, I know there are loads of related threads on here, but I am getting really, really really upset and angry about the fucking workfare programme. It's an absolute outrage that my taxes are funding slave labour to line the pockets of huge tax-avoiding corporations, while the most vulnerable in our society are having their lifelines snatched away from them one by one.

I want to voice my protest, but apart from writing to my MP (which I have done) what is the best way of fighting this crap?

I simply can't believe that anyone in a civilised society could possibly think this was a good idea. Why on earth would a private company ever create any new jobs if they can have government-funded slave labour for free?

Will someone please come and tell me why the fuck anybody other than the boss of tescos would conceivably think this was a good idea?

And if you can't tell me why it is a good idea, please tell me the best way to protest.

I've no idea but OP seems inclined that way.

JustRedbin Can't see anything in the op's post that says they disagree with work experience?

Can you c&p it in case I missed it?

Well said amothersplace - yes, why can't they? Free labour and even bigger profits, or treating the ordinary people* fairly, giving them a real wage for their work, contributing taxes and to NI contributions, reducing the number of unemployed by actually creating some jobs?

*who give you their custom and make your profits possible, who work for you for very little money

Justredbin, I would not want to deny anyone the opportunity to gain work experience. On the contrary.

I just happen to disagree with enforced unpaid labour dressed up as work experience. I also have a problem with taxpayers providing free labour for major corporations.

1. Boots have pulled out of the government 'Work Programme' for the long term unemployed due to its mandatory nature... well done Boots I say... that's called taking the initiative. It says it won't be involved in any work programmes as they have realised they are not voluntary and against their overall group policies.

1. I would like to know how since Tesco came out to offer work experience JSA claimants minimum wage, since that infamous ad 'mistake' made this fiasco so public... how that now effects every other company not paying anything at all... if indeed voluntary now (although it isn't if threatened with DWA instead) then it would be the only fair work experience going, which is unfair to all the people that don't get offered Tesco work experience jobs... how ironic!

1. DWP are now refusing freedom of information requests on which companies are part of the programmes to take on the free labour! They claim it is to protect the companies interests from a small group of campaigners! How out of touch is that!

Errr... oh dear... wow... and some other less select words come to mind!

P.S. Have you read 1984 or Animal Farm by George Orwell recently?!

I think that work fare is an Orwelian euphenism meaning work unfair persoanally. Reminds me of 1984 newspeak.

My children are too young for this; but anything that gets them up, out of bed & getting the work ethic can't be all bad, surely?

Spermysextowel - Try telling that to the experienced over 30's who are used to being paid for their work, and the sick/disabled not well enough to work, it's not just for inexperienced kids (who MIGHT) benefit from training!

Topdaddy, they are really going to let profit making companies use free labour and not disclose who they are?

The only way I can see to get around that is for every unemployed person who gets referred for mandatory labour with a company posts their letter from the DWP on an Internet forum, like twitter?

I saw Centre Parks and Hewlitt Packard mentioned yesterday as being new companies joining the welfare for work (Workfare) scheme.

If the government and these businesses are not ashamed of using Workfare and free labour then why don't they publicise? If it is a small group of Trotskyists protesting then surely there isn't much damage they can do?

I don't think it is a small group, I think there is a groundswell of opinion across the country, ordinary people are against workfare, because it is unfair not to pay people for the work they do, it undermines the national minimum wage, takes hours of work/overtime from employees .

Give people work experience if they have none - but if you are giving them 25 - 30 hours a week for 3 months or more call it a job and pay them for it.

'DWP are now refusing freedom of information requests on which companies are part of the programmes'

How are they getting away with that, topdaddy? These companies are benefiting from the expenditure of public money in that their recruits are paid JSA by the taxpayer. We are their employer, if you like. Finding out where they are is an entirely legitimate use of a Freedom of Information request.

The 'protection' argument doesn't wash, even if it was true and not something Chris Grayling made up in panic under persistent questioning about opposition to this disgraceful scheme during a Today programme interview with Evan Davis last Friday.

www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/article-2108255/Yes-need-country-working-Sadly-Workfare-going-it.html?ito=feeds-newsxml

At last some honest reporting and in the DM

Have evil Trots hacked the Daily Mail too?

The fact that the DWP are now refusing to let people know which companies are taking forced unpaid labourers is a revelation of just how corrupt this scheme is being viewed as by the public at large... the government are quite simply terrified now about this. It is unusual for an electorate to have much say without extreme action in what goes on past voting in a party... but with this one the businesses can be held accountable... and the government needs the businesses on board.

But this makes things much worse for them as it only proves there is so much to hide!

Here is what DWP are saying on FOI requests now; however the people making these requests can now go to the ICO, the Information Commissioner's Office.

I must say I am absolutely amazed (and of course disgusted) at the government over this one... unfortunately I can't take my vote back.

................

The Department for Work & Pensions (DWP) acknowledges that there is a public interest in organisations involved in providing work placements for the Work Programme; we have in fact released this information following previous FOI requests. More recently however, we have become aware of various campaigns aimed at harming the commercial interests of companies
involved in delivering the Work Programme as well as a potentially undermining Government policy. For that reason the Department will not comply with further FOI requests to release information about companies who provide, or have provided, work placements.

I maintain that the exemption applied to withhold this information (section 43 (2)) is correct and that it is in the public?s interest to ensure that DWP obtains goods or services on the best commercial terms and that we protect the legitimate commercial interests of our suppliers, to undermine the process could also harm unemployed people who find this to be a useful
stepping stone back to employment. Work Experience gives unemployed people the opportunity to be placed with local businesses where they are able to gain valuable work experience, improve their CVs and marketability to potential employers.

Of course if the DWP withholds 'the list of shame' (as perhaps some might call it!) then it remains only for every business to be asked. if they lie and are then 'outed' then that is going to be really bad for the business involved... so hiding this information will only further damage the ongoing workfare 'roll-out'... what is the government hiding for if there is 'nothing to hide'?!

Forget Labour's New Deal... this is the Coalition's Big Deal!

If you want to know what the 'Work Programme' is that Boots et al have pulled out from you can find info by Googling 'dwp work programme'.

The government is absolutely terrified of this screwing up... they have contracted providers for five years! However, note how the contracted providers get paid only for results and have been given the responsibility of deciding what is right for the claimant! Does A4e know what's right for people? They are one of the big providers!

Contractors get paid up to £13,000 for getting people previously on incapacity into work! Then DWP refuses to let people know where this money is going! Unbelievable... it's not Trident submarine locations people are requesting!!!

The 'Work Programme' of six months forced labour is mandatory for the following participant groups:

JSA 18-24 after 9 months claiming
JSA 25+ after 1 year claiming
ESA (Some of those in the Work Related Activity Group) when close to being fit for work.

Here's a little starter to wet your appetite...

...........

From DWP the-work-programme.pdf... might want to take a look yourselves before they change the wording on this too! LOL (Would be funny if it wasn't so very sad)...

? Clear incentives to deliver results ? with higher rewards for hard to help participants. Service providers are paid almost entirely for results - defined as sustained job outcomes for participants. The longer a customer stays in work, the more delivery partners will be paid, so there are strong incentives to continue support once participants are in work. The programme supports a wide range of participants and payments are higher for helping participants who are further from the labour market into sustained work.
? Freedom for service providers. Local providers are best placed to identify the most effective way of helping people into sustained work, and have been given new freedom to do so without prescription from government. Requirements for providers have been minimised as far as possible, allowing them to innovate and focus their resources where it will do most good. Publication of providers? service standards will increase service transparency and accountability.
? A long-term commitment. Five year contracts give prime providers a firm basis on which to build long term partnerships with their specialist supply chains of local providers, and other partners, including local government. Putting clear incentives in place over an extended period creates time for these partnerships to invest in the infrastructure and resources required for success.

and...

Some customers need more help to get into work than others so we will pay more for helping those customers who are furthest from the labour market ? from a maximum of around £3,800 for a young unemployed person to £13,700 for someone who has a limited capability for work and, as a result, has been receiving benefits for several years. This differential pricing will ensure that providers have strong incentives to help all their customers, rather than focusing on easier to help customers at the expense of the most vulnerable. Payments for volunteers are, on the whole, lower than for claimants who are required to participate because our evidence suggests that those that volunteer are more likely to move into work quickly.

peekabooby - you're right, that Mail report is, at last, honest reporting.
TopDaddy - can we get a page "WorkFare - List of shame", so that everyone who finds the name of one of these companies can update? I don't know how, and I know many of you have the computer ability.

Can't they offer the £13,700, to each of those "customers who are furthest from the labour market", to the customers who attain their own jobs, that would be a real incentive!

How come the Sun is so focused only on catching the few bad guys? Do they not believe that any of us (the majority) are genuine claimants?

Fecking Lefties ..

Sorry, I should have expanded on that (I had just seen today's article). There is no mention of the injustice going on, at present, for genuine claimants.

So the incentive is to make results up. Tempting if there is a great deal of money on offer combined with a greedy and unscrupulous management and employees who are desperate/unscrupulous/not that bright.

Tick as many as apply as A4e/Maximus/Igeus would say.

Nannasylv

There is a list of big high street names who have pulled (partially of fully) involvement, suspended, or are reviewing involvement. Google a 'boycott workfare' search and you will get all the info you need.

Anyone who is concerned for the safety of our welfare system can ask any business if they are involved with government workfare schemes, or find out from the central campaign websites (i.e. the HQs of the 'job snobs', 'trotskyites', 'unemployed youngsters watching TV all day', 'socialist workers party members', ermm... oh... and you can check the Guardian, and C4 news amongst others... I think they have pretty much joined us snobby trotskyites (isn't that a dichotomy?) too! It's difficult not to get involved in this one as it affects so many people and is so easy to stop potentially i.e. with our wallets (sorry ladies, and purses).

I personally reckon any business who declares they won't be involved with the system as it is, should get a bloody great big official 'we don't suck' sticker of approval to put on their windows! ;O)

Anyway, I hope the police don't go nuts at the demonstrations at the weekend having been told to come down hard by the government. That would be particularly sucky... and do the government even less favours.

Suggest going to the stores you know have are not/any longer involved... flash your cash with them, and send some pain to the forced labour lot by giving them a wide berth.

There aren't any whips so far as I know, it is more subtle of course these days, however the ethical businesses should be rewarded I would say for doing what is right, despite the offer of free labour!

Information about Workface users here - also gives information about companies that have "suspended involvement", plus a description of the different workfare schemes.

I am glad you are all against slave labour

by the way how many of you have got laptops,I phones and other electronic goods that are made in China using slave labour
How many of you get your clothes from the the clothing stores that import all the clothing that is made abroad using child slave labour?

your all a bunch of hypocrites if you ask me

Some of us practise Fair Trade for overseas goods as well, roger. Or have you not heard of that?