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.

Some of us, when we have found out that stores are using slave labour, do actually change our shopping habits. I also believe that what you are saying is "if you can't beat them, join them", and I thought we strove, in this country, to have a higher moral code than that! I also take it that you would be willing to be a slave, should you ever be unfortunate enough to become unemployed/sick/disabled/terminally ill?

Perhaps, if more was/had been done to protect production industries (including keeping apprenticeships going) in this country, we would not:

a) have so many unemployed, or
b) sometimes have to buy goods from unscrupulous manufacturers

The "I'm alright Jack" idea is fine, if you are so protected that none of this will ever affect you.

Are you really glad Roger? Or do you just like posting sweeping generalisations? Do you think that working for nothing will help cut back slave labour in other parts of the world?

Just to let you know that legally it is forced labour as opposed to slave labour. Slavery requires that someone is saying they 'own' a person.

Thought I would mention it, as those who want workfare to stay (few and far between so far as I can tell except for some politicians and unethical businesses), will use anything to pick holes in the argument against, as it is so solid in so many way.

Using the words 'slave labour' just puts a potential chink in the otherwise exceptionally well made suit of plate that the white knight of the boycott workfare brigade is wearing.

I was very angry and still am (!) about the schemes and initially used phrases like 'a modern version of slave labour', but as a straightforward statement of fact, no slavery is involved as ASDA and the others who still support workfare aren't (yet!) trafficking people into their offices, shops, factories, and warehouses.

slavery - no
illegal - probably*
unpaid - yes (except Tesco who say they will pay minimum wage for Work Experience, however are they involved with the Work Programme also which is unpaid?)
forced - yes**
unethical - yes
exploitative - yes
expensive - yes
ineffective - yes

• Requires specific cases to go to court... at least one is on the cards. ** ?Young people who don?t engage with this offer will be considered for mandatory work activity, and those that drop out without good reason will lose their benefits.? George Osborne, 2011

The government have told a disability news organisation today that ESA claimants who go on 'voluntary' work experience schemes (apparently they won't be coerced... yeah right!) will still receive sanctions if they then decide to stop without 'good reason'.

They say this is because these are part of the Work Programme and not the Work Experience for youngsters.

You see... without the business and charity boycott pressure they clearly don't give a damn or an inch!

So presumably it is a good idea then for ESA claimants to not volunteer for work experience under the work programme as:

1. the government claim there will be no coercion.
2. if 1) is correct then it would be foolish to risk taking an unpaid position which you may wish you had never started when you are on it, but will then need a 'good reason' to get off or risk having your benefits stopped!

This government is genius and never now cease to amaze! Volunteering with punishment for not wanting to volunteer anymore... what a fantastic concept LOL!

Have a good week.

Cameron has made it quite clear today in an article by the Torygraph that the refusal for Freedom Of Information requests to DWP as to who which businesses are involved in workfare programmes are coming from the top. He says the system is 'furring up government'!!! He is also 'frustrated' with the speed of progress of the welfare to work schemes and other changes.

Since when did we bomb a dictator one month only to hear our own apparent wannabe throwing their toys out of the pram a few months later of his frustrations at his cut down and hacked up Civil Service unable to move quickly on deeply unpopular plans?! Does this man not know that UK PLC is not like a Michelin star restaurant in Oxfordshire?!

Perhaps he would have been better going for a job as Headmaster of Eton... there would be no revolting peasants to concern him there.

I just can't believe I voted for this lot now... I thought I liked the guy.

There's am easy way to avoid the FOIs on data David... publish it on a website!!! You can start with a list of companies signed up to workfare programmes (and which ones) plus perhaps a list of where the public money went at A4e!

Unbelievable.

SerialKipper

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

Thats very noble of you but free trade is better than fair trade and that still does not help the workers of this country that you are all up in arms about having their human rights abused by being treated as slave labour

Instead of pages of sociallist worker scaremongering and drivel topdaddy, its much easier to just type BUMP if you want the thread to return to the first page.

Theres a MN tip for you, as I suspect you havent been posting here for long

www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/article-2110900/Suicide-training-Job-Centres-Cancer-patients-scrubbing-floors-Welcome-Cameron-s-Brave-New-World.html

"Talk to any disabled or sick person right now and there is a word that crops up more than any other, a running thread central to what they are feeling. It is this: fear"

Please read it.

"free trade is better than fair trade"

Doesn't sound like you're quite so worried about slave labour as you professed, roger.

Although I wouldn't use "slave" for either workfare or sweated labour. It's unfree labour or forced labour.