How about accepting that the need for fulfilling work (as part of our species being) is far greater than the posited responsibility to take either low-wage employment or coerced community service (which are each, by their nature, exploitative)? Insofar as responsibility comes into it, it is surely a collective, not an individual responsibility: the responsibility of governments (on our behalf) to allow us all to undertake decent work that is both meaningful and non-demeaning (which should include non-waged caring and creative activities). Isn't this what 'de-commodification' is/was all about? The problem is that all the world over policy makers have ceased to listen to this kind of argument.
Hartley Dean
________________________________
From: Social-Policy is run by SPA for all social policy specialists on behalf of Suzie Watkin
Sent: Tue 22/07/2008 13:33
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: UK Workfare proposals
This policy direction represents community service punishments for the crime
of not having a job; when New Labour first began to ape Workfare there was
plenty of constructive criticism, this is not so apparent yet this time
around- have we all rolled over and accepted such hardline provision? I
really hope not. How about looking at making employment a bit more
attractive- a bit more carrot with the beating stick?
Suzie
-----Original Message-----
From: Social-Policy is run by SPA for all social policy specialists
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Paul Ashton
Sent: 21 July 2008 20:10
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: UK Workfare proposals
The Government's Consultation Paper, 'No one written off: reforming
welfare to reward responsibility' is published today.
Excerpts from the Prime Minister's foreword to the document stresses
the Welfare to Work aspects include:
"In 1997, this Government inherited a welfare state weighted heavily
towards rewarding and supporting people who were not actively seeking
to improve their situation, whether by looking for work or by taking
part in training....in a globalised world, we simply cannot afford the
high price of large numbers of people on benefits....we will only
create lasting prosperity by ensuring that the talents of our country
are fully employed - and that rights are met with tough
responsibilities that respect taxpayers as well as those claiming
benefits."
The 1.7mb Green Paper can be downloaded from:
http://www.dwp.gov.uk/welfarereform/noonewrittenoff/noonewrittenoff-complete
.pdf
Paul Ashton
[log in to unmask]
http://www.eastb.freeserve.co.uk/Paul-Ashton.htm
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