What is Workfare?
The term’ Workfare’ was first used in the late 1960’s in America and popularised by Richard Nixon. Since then ‘workfare’ programmes have been introduced across around the world (USA, Australia, Canada, and Europe).
Unlike more traditional welfare programmes ’ workfare’ style welfare programmes place additional conditions and responsibilities on benefit claimants which they have to meet in order receive their benefit. Failure to meet these conditions or requirements means that sanctions can be imposed often involving the loss of part, or all of their benefit.
These mandatory activities might include requirements to apply for jobs; attend personal advisor meetings, skills training programmes, and agree to work placements and gain work experience.
Workfare in the UK
The facts around government programmes can be confusing, with the lines between voluntary and mandatory becoming blurred. Not all DWP programmes are mandatory. For example Sainsbury’s have said that they have withdrawn from mandatory programmes and will now use Work Trail. A Work Trial is entirely voluntary and gives people get the chance see if an actual real job is right for them. Trials are in actual job vacancies, and last for two weeks, if the trial is successful the person continues in normal employment. It is voluntary, the person continues to receive their benefit for two weeks, there are no sanctions and there is a guaranteed job for successful participants. In some ways it is like an extended job interview.
‘Workfare’ style programmes work differently. They are mandatory, there is a threat of sanctions, and there is no guaranteed job at the end of the programme. ‘Workfare’ programmes are not just aimed at young people, they affect people of any age and measures introduced next year will extend mandatory programmes to sick and disabled people, including people with terminal illnesses (where they are likely to live longer than six months). Imagine you or someone close to you having a terminal illness and being told they have to go out to work. Is this how you expect Britain to show that it cares?
Five ‘Workfare’ programmes have been introduced in the UK:-
Mandatory Work Activity
This applies to people of all ages and came into effect in May 2011. The placements are usually for people who have been unemployed for more than 13 weeks. They are mandatory placements that Job Centre Plus advisors can demand are taken by a job seeker.
Each placement can last up to four weeks and you can still receive your benefits but if you don't attend without a good cause you can face losing them for 26 weeks.
Participation on Mandatory Work Activity will be compulsory and customers who fail to participate/fail to complete/or lose a place due to misconduct will be sanctioned for 13 weeks. A second failure in a 12 month period will lead to a 26 week sanction.
The Government say it has to be of “community benefit”, in many cases this ‘community benefit’ has included claims of people working in stores stacking shelves and working night shift.
Read the DWP's own Equality Impact Assessment For who will be affected (Suggested document search terms: sanction, mandatory, compulsory, disabled, Oh and try voluntary)
Read the DWP Provider Guidance Manual on Mandatory Work Activity
The Work Programme
The programme was introduced in 2011, is open to anyone . Ministers expect more than half a million people to join each year and 370,000 people were referred to the Work Programme between June and November 2011.
The type of benefits you get will determine when you can access the Work Programme.
- If you are 18-24: Nine months after you started to claim JSA (Job Seekers Allowance) you are required to attend
- If you are above 25 years old: 12 months after you start to claim JSA you are required to attend
Work Programme Providers are paid to arrange mandatory work placements for up to 6 months. Participation is mandatory with the threat of sanctions, and no guaranteed job outcome.
The Work Programme is expected to cost the taxpayer £3 - £5 billion pounds.
Read the DWP's own Equality Impact Assessment For who will be affected
(Suggested document search terms: sanction, mandatory, disabled)
Sector-based Work Academy Places
Aimed 16 to 24-year-olds but are open to people of all ages and were introduced in August 2011.
DWP say this is voluntary but govternment documents and guidance say mandatory. They can last for six weeks, including two weeks of pre-employment training and then four weeks' work experience which is supposed to tailored to the vacancies in the local area.
At the end of the academy there is a guaranteed job interview.
You can still get your benefits but once you get a place attendance becomes mandatory and if you don't attend you face losing your benefits.
Read the DWP's own Equality Impact Assessment For who will be affected
(Suggested document search terms: sanction, mandatory, disabled)
Work experience scheme
This scheme is for 16 to 24-year-olds and started in January 2011. It offers a work experience placement with a business for two to eight weeks.
The Government says people volunteer for the scheme but the DWP guidance says people have to be mandated and will be sanctioned if the leave after the first week. Placements can be extended by four weeks and become apprenticeships, meaning a possible salary or promise of potential employment later. Although there is no guarantee of this.
The government is expecting to fund 100,000 of these placements over two years.
News Update. On 29th February The government said It is voluntary but those who dropped out after the first week risked having their benefits docked for a fortnight. But following Today's meeting with firms and charities, it said that rule would be dropped - although sanctions would still apply in cases of gross misconduct. Employment Minister Chris Grayling said it would help companies but insisted that critics were "completely misguided" Full Story
Community Action Programme
This was first discussed in November 2011 and is expected to start in 2013.
This is for anyone who has been through the Work Programme and has still not found a job. People will be expected to accept ongoing case management or a community action placement.
The community action placement is a mandatory six-month work experience. Anyone who fails to attend without a good reason faces losing their benefits. Jobseekers are referred for up to 30 hours unpaid, work per week for six months. Participation is mandatory with the threat of sanctions, and no guaranteed job outcome.
Read the DWP's own Equality Impact Assessment For who will be affected
(Suggested document search terms: stopped, mandatory, disabled. Oh and try voluntary or volunteer)
The arguements against Workfare
