Yesterday’s unemployment figures showed yet another
steep rise in the numbers of people without work in
the UK. We now have the highest rates of
unemployment for over 17 years but even this is only
the official figure and the true numbers of unemployed
are much closer to 6.7 million. A shocking 1.4 million
of those are young people between 18-25 years of age.
Women and disabled people are particularly affected
by unemployment.
Added to this many people classed as working and not
included in these figures are in part-time, casual and
insecure jobs. These trends have grown with
globalisation as firms shift their production processes
to the cheapest available countries and work is off-
shored.
Against this backdrop of deepening despair benefit
changes and workfare schemes are further attacking
the unemployed, single parents, and disabled people’s
rights to be paid in exchange for ‘working.’ Workfare
benefits rich corporations by providing free labour,
whilst threatening claimants by taking away benefits if
people refuse to work without a minimum wage.
Disabled people and other targeted claimant groups
are being forced to work for 30 hours a week for £2.25
an hour in benefits and if they do not jump through
these hoops they face their benefits being cut off for up
to 13 weeks and possibly up to 3 years if Ian Duncan
Smith has his way, leaving them in dire poverty and
destitution.
It was therefore with some disbelief that campaigners
woke this morning to the news that TESCO’s was
offering a permanent night shift position unpaid and in
exchange for Job Seekers Allowance plus expenses.
Since then Tesco have apologised and said there was a
mistake as the ‘job’ is not permanent.
It is a disgrace that when there is such high
unemployment vacancies are being filled by unpaid
claimants. Contact Tesco to let them know what you
think of them.
CEO – Philip Clarke philip.clarke@uk.tesco.com or tweet to him @clarkepatesco
Join the national day of action against workfare on March 3rd
www.boycottworkfare.org
UK-wide day of action against workfare – Saturday 3rd March
In solidarity with Liverpool Uncut’s action against workfare on Saturday 3rd March, Boycott Workfare has called a national day of action against workfare. We’re planning a Boycott Workfare action in Central London on this day and encourage people all over theUK to take action on their high streets.
So many high street stores are involved in taking on forced unpaid labour that there is plenty of choice – Tescos, Asda, Holland & Barrett, Primark, HMV, TK Maxx and Topshop to name but a few. Get a group together, make a plan, and head to the streets.
Workfare means that those on benefits are forced into unpaid work for multi-million pound companies. Instead of the living wage – they receive £2.25 an hour in benefits for 30 hours of work.
Workfare means those in paid positions may see their jobs replaced by this unpaid labour. Why would a company pay for people to do these jobs when they can get free labour from the Job Centre?
We can put a stop to this forced unpaid labour – Waterstones and Sainsburys recently announced that they would no longer take unpaid placements – the other companies just need a bit more encouragement to stop this exploitation.
We demand an end to this exploitation and call for welfare rights and living wages for all!
If you continue to exploit us we WILL shut you down!
Details of actions:
- Take action with UK Uncut in Liverpool! Saturday, March 3rd 2012. 1pm until 4pm. Meet Next to Nowhere Social Centre, Bold Street, Liverpool. More info.
- Further details of the London action will be announced shortly – put the date in your diary and check back here for more info soon!
