Myth #1: The unemployed are lazy so they need to be forced to work - if they tried, they could get jobs
In reality, the vast majority of the unemployed can't get work, because there's no work for them to go to! There are now more than 2.6 million unemployed people in the UK, chasing around 450,000 jobs. The unemployment total is at its highest in nearly 20 years and will rise even further because of the government's austerity programme.
Unemployed people being forced to work for free for up to 6 months with no guarantee of a job afterwards, many of them for major high street companies.
Does workfare help the unemployed?
The government’s own research found that in countries that introduced workfare it could actually lower a jobseeker’s chances of finding a job. Where previously these roles would have been filled by paid staff, employers get to take advantage of a growing pool of jobseekers they won’t have to pay.
Thames Valley Solidarity Federation will be supporting a national day of action against companies and organisations profiting from the government's workfare scheme.
Please join us: assemble 12:00 @ Carfax Tower, Oxford before moving off to selected target(s). Bring banners/placards, noise and friends.
What to do if you 'fail' your work capability assessment
Some brief advice on the process of appealing a failed Work Capability Assessment (WCA), as well as some signposting to relevant advice bodies who may be able to assist you.
When you first receive the results of your ATOS WCA and it is a fail, the first thing that many do, as they are panicked and desperate, as they have had their money stopped, is to panic and phone the Job Centre Plus and ask about signing on for Jobseekers Allowance, which is what they want you to do, but there is an alternative and that is by asking for a reconsideration and/or appeal.
Some brief advice on the process of appealing a failed Work Capability Assessment (WCA), as well as some signposting to relevant advice bodies who may be able to assist you.
When you first receive the results of your ATOS WCA and it is a fail, the first thing that many do, as they are panicked and desperate, as they have had their money stopped, is to panic and phone the Job Centre Plus and ask about signing on for Jobseekers Allowance, which is what they want you to do, but there is an alternative and that is by asking for a reconsideration and/or appeal.
On Wednesday evening (15 Feb) a large, vibrant and noisy protest was held by electricians and their supporters outside the Grosvenor hotel on Park Lane. The protest was part of the ongoing struggle that electricians and other JIB trades find themselves in.
Their fight is with the 7 major construction companies (known as the BESNA 7) who to increase their profits want to massively reduce the wages of the workers.
Under The Building Engineering Services National Agreement (BESNA) electricians, plumbers, welders & pipe fitters stand to loose up to £240 per week if they sign these new contracts.
Northampton Sol Fed now has members from Birmingham, Bedford and Milton Keynes. We recently held a re-launch meeting and will be updating this Webpage very soon, with news of local activities.
Following the successful picket of Poundland, resulting in the store withdrawing from the 'work experience' scheme, Brighton Benefits Campaign will be picketing Tesco on March 3 as part of the UK-wide day of action against workfare.
