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? asked in Politics & GovernmentLaw & Ethics · 9 years ago

Mandatory Work Activity?

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?

Update:

I would rather have a job that pays me a fair days wage for a fair days work.

The fact I can't get that is not all my fault, I have plenty of qualifications and have held several managerial positions but there are simply more people than jobs these days.

I will happily work, for minimum wage, not £2.40ph.

Update 2:

If its fine to make them work for their benefits, why not make them work a 60 hour week? Why give them a day off at all? 24/7, keep em working. Is there a limit?

If you are going to force people to work you need to pay them a fair wage, not give them their benefit and expect a full weeks work for it.......

I will happily do 12 hours a week, this is what my benefit works out to at minimum wage. Not 30 hours.

How many of you would work for £2 an hour? for any reason?

5 Answers

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  • ?
    Lv 7
    9 years ago
    Favorite Answer

    I wonder why you are so mad about having to work 30 hours a week for being supported by the government. You would rather be supported and sit at home watching TV? Of course it helps the community if you are maintaining public areas.

  • Scott S
    9 years ago

    I agree 100% with the Mandatory work...several of your statements are wrong..where in the Constitution does it say the government is duty bound to provide you with a job or money? The Government guarantees you life liberty and the pursuit of happiness..not money or a job..that is your job to get. If your not working at a job why not do something constructive for the free money the government is giving you? If your not doing community service what would you be doing instead? And if you are complaining about public transportation that would imply you dont have a car..so what are you going to do when you get offered a job? Refuse it cause public transportation is a pain in the butt? And you shouldnt look at community service as punishment...I know many people that to it voluntarily to better the community.

  • gazette
    9 years ago

    I paid National insurance Contributions at a high rate for forty years but I will have to work at a manual labour job for thirty hours a week before I am entitled to my benefits.

  • Hugo
    Lv 6
    9 years ago

    This argument has already been taken through the UK courts and has been thrown out. It is not unreasonable for this or any government to require it's citizens to work for their benefits. Of course you could always go on strike, oh wait a sec.

    I wouldn't be surprised if all benefit claimants eventually have to do something for their benefits, unless they are completely disabled.

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  • Lone Cat
    Lv 7
    9 years ago

    "basic means this government is duty-bound to provide."

    I don't think the government is obligated to provide people with support. But I do agree that the work requirement is a bit silly. It doesn't really accomplish anything.

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