Alpha Games

So, for those that don't know what this is.....

MWA involves people on benefits, currently Jobseekers but being rolled out to include others soon, working for 30 hours a week for 1 month in a "community service" role. These include charity shops and things such as maintaing parks and public areas.

They recieve no additional benefit for doing this and must continue to attend Job centre appointments and search for jobs at the same time.

Any refusal to work or failure to attend will result in the person getting no benefits for 13 weeks..

These placements can be up to 90 minutes away by public transport and while the fares can be reimbursed this is done weekly after you have already paid.

So, this is Forced labour. Work for us or we withdraw you basic means to survive, the basic means this government is duty-bound to provide.

Does doing the work for the community make it better? No.

This is basically community service, the same jobs are involved. Is it now a crime to not find a job?

Maybe some people on JSA really are just lazy but if there are not jobs for them then how do you prove that? With every job having a host of applicants it really is a hard market to find a job in.

Does something need to be done? Certainly, but forced labour is not the answer and people need to make that clear.

Your opinions?

So, for those that don't know what this is.....

MWA involves people on benefits, currently Jobseekers but being rolled out to include others soon, working for 30 hours a week for 1 month in a "community service" role. These include charity shops and things such as maintaing parks and public areas.

They recieve no additional benefit for doing this and must continue to attend Job centre appointments and search for jobs at the same time.

Any refusal to work or failure to attend will result in the person getting no benefits for 13 weeks..

These placements can be up to 90 minutes away by public transport and while the fares can be reimbursed this is done weekly after you have already paid.

So, this is Forced labour. Work for us or we withdraw you basic means to survive, the basic means this government is duty-bound to provide.

Does doing the work for the community make it better? No.

This is basically community service, the same jobs are involved. Is it now a crime to not find a job?

Maybe some people on JSA really are just lazy but if there are not jobs for them then how do you prove that? With every job having a host of applicants it really is a hard market to find a job in.

Does something need to be done? Certainly, but forced labour is not the answer and people need to make that clear.

Your opinions?

I have been unemployed for 2 years, during that time I was convicted of Production of Class B drug and Possession of the same, namely Cannabis.

I was given 150 hours Community service, which are all completed and 18 months probation, of which I have 7 months left.

These meetings are fairly pointless, I see a lady who has not the first idea about cannabis and my only goal is "to accept that my cannabis use is damaging to myself and the community" which is never going to happen as i've told her from day 1.

Mostly we spend 5 -10 min's chatting about the weather or the news and from time to time I would attempt to sway her views on Cannabis with some research or other, to no avail. (someone once told it was bad and that's all she beleives!)

Now, I have just been offered a fairly decent job that im really looking forward to.

Having mentioned this to my probation officer she has told me im required to provide a copy of my contract for proof.

I have not mentioned my conviction to my new employer (if you disagree with doing this try being out of work for 2 years, living on handouts and see if you still feel the same way)

I have tried searching for the rules regarding this but there are so many its a bit confusing.

I really don't see why I would need to provide these, or any, details of my life to the probation service with the exception of moving house.

Am I obliged to provide these details? and what will they do with them? are they allowed to contact my employer?

Cheers in advance :)