At a recent stall outside the jobcentre a claimant told us he had been sent on an unpaid work placement to B & Q last year. Remploy arranged the placement.
The unpaid work was physically hard and didn’t provide any opportunities to learn skills. It didn’t appear to have been overtly compulsory but when the jobcentre is involved the threat of a sanction is always lurking. And the use of unpaid labour undermines all workers wages and conditions.
Direct action beat back Workfare – we must make sure it doesn’t reappear. For example Universal Credit threatens Workfare, especially for younger people.
If you have been pressured or threatened to go on an unpaid placement let us know – anonymity guaranteed. Our message to Workfare users is clear – if you exploit us, we will shut you down!
