We have recently received a briefing from 'Boycott Workfare, which we are publishing in full.
"We haven't been in touch for a while, but loads of things have happened in the last few months. The action you take continues to push back workfare.
One scheme
down!
The government
wanted to make everyone finishing two years
on the work programme do 6 months of workfare.
But this plan had to be dropped - probably due to
the difficulty in finding placements due to protest and pressure.
It has however
unfortunately been replaced by a sanctions obstacle
course in the job centre for those returning. If you are returning back to
the job centre after 2 years on the work programme then you can share your
stories here.
A huge week of
action in July
On the 9th-10th of
July the workfare industry had a cosy little conference in Manchester... so we
had a huge week
of action instead. Not only was their fancy dinner
at the Hilton picketed, but
coincidentally we heard that their sleep was
interrupted by up to 3 fire alarms throughout the night. 20
actions took place across the country
with Marks & Spencer, who had boasted the week before that 2%
of their staff are unpaid, a particular focus
for action. Loads of info stalls
outside job centres handed out leaflets with claimants' rights (send us an email
at info@boycottworkfare.org if you want some leaflets and stickers to hand out at
your local job centre).
Ruining the launch of 'in-work' sanctions
DWP ministers Mark Hoban and Freud set up a talk at workfare thinktank 'Policy Exchange' to launch their plans for extending benefit sanctions to those in work. But Boycott Workfare was there to 'ruin' their party. Watch the video here.
With the total number of sanctions this year set to exceed one million, the Civil Service Rank and File Network also took on sanctions with a week of action in August. Boycott Workfare is putting together sanctions stories too – please share yours!
Taking on the law
For twenty four hours earlier this year, all workfare schemes were unlawful. That was until the government decided to override the courts and enact unprecedented retroactive legislation to rewrite history. But Cait Reilly and Jamie Wilson who took on workfare in the courts have taken it to the next level and are challenging workfare as a human rights violation in the Supreme Court. The hearing took place in July and we await the results in the next few months.
Got five minutes?
Please take a few minutes to help step up the pressure on the workfare exploiters exposed over the last few months:
- Football clubs using workfare
- Amazon, zero hours and now the Work Programme?
- Workfare health & safety problems at the British Heart Foundation
- Age UK's Workfare Warehouse
- Seetec: They ruin lives. Let's ruin their day.
- Take action on the charities creating hunger and homelessness
- Workfare in the fresh air
- M&S, Asda, B&M, Wholefood Market – Contact the workfare Exploiters
Disabled People Against the Cuts week of action
Disabled People Against Cuts are organising a week of action against the government’s neoliberal policies from 29th August, culminating in a mass day of action in London on 4th September.
Save the
dates and get in touch with DPAC if you or your group wants to get involved in
making it happen.
Date for the diary!
We are currently organising a UK gathering for welfare action groups and individuals looking to start a group to come together on 18 January and share ideas and experiences. Get in touch with us if you'd like to be involved in making this happen - info@boycottworkfare.org and keep your eyes peeled for further information.
Let us know what you're up to and stay in touch!"
Boycott Workfare
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