A 2008 government (DWP) investigation into workfare programmes in the USA, Canada & Australia concluded that unpaid Workfare was ineffective, unsuccessful and should not be replicated in the UK. In fact it showed that America was already turning its back on Workfare in favour of softer solutions such as paying a subsidised wage.
"There is little evidence that workfare increases the likelihood of finding work. It can even reduce employment chances by limiting the time available for job search and by failing to provide the skills and experience valued by employers"
- The report also admitted that Workfare would be more effective if participants were paid a wage
"Subsidised (‘transitional’) job schemes that pay a wage can be more effective in raising employment levels than ‘work for benefit’ programmes."
- The report also concluded that Workfare programmes were least likely to work when unemployment was high.
"Workfare is least effective in getting people into jobs in weak labour markets where unemployment is high."
- America has begun to turn its back on Workfare, instead they now prefer 'soft' approached including paying a wage.
"Some states in the US have scaled down large-scale, universal workfare programmes in reference for ‘softer’ and more flexible models that offer greater support to those with the most barriers to work. This includes a greater reliance on subsidised jobs that pay wages rather than benefits to participants."
The full report can be viewed here:
WorkFare was never meant to help the unemployed just free labour for companies to exploit!
ReplyDeleteYet more evidence that the government's policies are driven by something other than economics. These boys are malevolent for the sake of it. I've said all along this is a government composed of toffs who first thing in the morning look for a poor person to give a good kicking so they can work up a good appetite for breakfast. They just like seeing the poor squirm. Then they get upset when there's riots!
ReplyDeleteThis is about controlling the unemployment statistics and satisfying the Daily Mail readers who want to believe that the unemployed are lazy.
ReplyDeletePeople know damn well that there aren't enough jobs but blaming the unemployed means they don't have to worry about doing anything about it or have a strong opinion on anything and can continue to care only about their tiny little lives.
I dread the day that after working hard tyo gain two degrees, two post-graduate qualifications, much experience as a journalist and lecturer, I'll be forced to work for £67.50 (including finding money for travel expenses and lunch) and not have time to find a job I actually want to do.
I can see it coming.
Workfare doesn't work.
ReplyDeleteThe individuals forced to take unpaid labour for their benefits are further demoralised, whilst they work for below minimum wage (£67.50 for 30 hour week) their 'colleagues' are at least paid minimum wage (£6.08/hr).
Workfare also takes away time that could be spent on actually look for paid work, not many people are in the frame of mind to look for work after an 8 hour shift stacking shelves for £2.25/hr.
Employers do not even take unpaid work seriously at interviews, even if you are doing the same exact duties as paid staff (I know this from experience).
Compulsory/forced labour is illegal under the human rights act and minimum wage law. Which the Labour government and Tory government choose to ignore, labelling the real work being undertaken as 'work experience'.
There are 4,500,000 unemployed for 400,000 vacancies available. Those 400,000 vacancies mostly include temporary and part time work. The numbers simply do not add up.
The proposals for Community Action Programme due to start after participants have completed the work programme for two years (if they haven't successfully found a job), can be found on the DWP website. I don't have the exact web address but it's well worth a look.
ReplyDelete