http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-17200688 That is how David Cameron feels about anyone who opposes his government's slave labour programmes. Arrogant ****.
For what exactly? Cameron's a dick but she was worse! We used to have good jobs for everyone, now only finance companies have jobs, and unless you are director level you are being paid a **** wage to do a **** job for them.
I actually agree with the scheme, after being out of work months it's difficult to get back in. If you are going to have to work in Tesco for your benefits you are more likely to find your own job - or worst case scenario you've statistically got a 50% chance of actually getting a full time job in Tesco and getting more money than you would on benefits. <MickMovesFurtherToTheRight>
I agree with the scheme too, I've worked since I left school, sometimes in **** jobs I hate, but stuck in anyway. I think the penalty was fair, just dropping out a job with nothing to go to was never an option to me. Too many of these people think no work is better than work they don't like.
if people are going to work for tesco they should be paid. how much money does tesco make each year? it would be different if they got work for say a plumber who was going to teach them how to be a plumber. what does working at tesco for 4 weeks for nothing teach you? if the scheme is used to get people into a routine (right wing myth that everyone who is unemployed sleep till 2pm every day) why not do something to benefit the community? there are always going to be people who do not want to work but to tar everyone with the same brush is wrong. There is very little work in the uk at the moment and this scheme is not helping that situation
I could be wrong but is this scheme not aimed at the long term unemployed who have no work experience whatsoever? It's not for someone who has been laid off their job, and seeing as any form you fill in for a job these days has a tiny box for education and a spare sheet for work experience it surely can only be beneficial. It's also voluntary ... no one is being forced to do it, but it's being suggested so they can put something down on a CV.
The volunteering wasn't the problem. The problem was that those that did volunteer would lose their benefits if they subsequently pulled out.
A lot of my work involves helping people find voluntary work as a stepping stone to paid employment, so I know the benefits it can bring. Also I am of the opinion that work does give people a sense of purpose, self esteem and contributes to society as a whole. What I do not agree with is people being coerced to work for nothing for a huge company like Tesco who make around £3.5bn profit per year. If there is work available for Tesco, then Tesco should pay these people a decent wage and then we wouldn't even be having a debate about them being on benefits. If people on benefits are being asked to do voluntary work, then it should be for charities and community ventures like CICs and Social enterprises, who generally rely on funding and do not have the resources to pay living wages.
It was an 8 week placement though, if they didn't have a valid reason to pull out then I agree with the benefits being pulled. It's job seekers allowance, they are meant to be looking for opportunities to work. I've had to do some **** jobs in my time, I've always put up with them until another job came up, I'd rather be employed in a **** job than not work at all. I agree voluntary work for charities would be a far better recipient. But at the same time Tesco probably wouldn't employ most of these people and sign them up to a contract without the scheme. If they went for an interview with Tesco and were asked what they did for the last 3 years and all they can say is they were on benefits they probably wouldn't get the job. I agree Tesco shouldn't be getting free labour though. Maybe they should be contributing to the cost of the benefits for the duration of the scheme?
Perhaps Tesco should either offer these people a permanent job at the end of their 8 week placement (if they make the grade) or pay the benefit contribution during the placement period. I think it's massively unethical for a company who clear £3.5bn profit a year to take advantage of free labour.
ER -I'm pretty sure you're joking ! I cannot see people 'buying' into National Service without getting disenchanted to the extent that there would be full scale carnage if let loose with a gun. ..... and on that note R.I.P. David Rathband ( policeman blinded by the mad gunman Moat - looks like he took the Speed exit )
If you want to pay **** all for workers at least build a hell of a lot more council houses to keep them in
The solution to companies refusing to put some effort in to train those without experience is not to force those without experience to work for free
