Unemployment and free labour

In my previous rant/blog I posted about the job centre wanting people to work full time jobs for free - if you haven't read this article you can read it here.
I sat on the train on Friday evening heading up North like I do most weekends and I sat and read the Metro. I came across a great article which proved my point exactly.

My previous blog about unemployment and working for free was really just showing an argument between myself and some moron who didn't have a clue what he was talking about. I can understand different views but this I really feel strongly about.

The story I read as about Tesco, a big corporate store that is known nationwide. This food store (which now sells everything from clothes to computers) was advertising for full time workers to work the night shift for no more money than benefits. The advert stated the employee would only get travel and child care expenses paid.

In case you cannot see the picture clear enough here is a written version of the brief article.

'Tesco has been attackedo on Twitter after advertising for a permanent night worker to be paid expenses on top of their Jobseeker's Allowance.

The supermarket giant was criticised on the day it was revealed British unemployment rose to 2.67 million in the three months to December.
One tweet read: 'I will not buy another item from you until you abandon workfare slavery'.

Tesco's Facebook page was flooded with comments, such as 'Don't expect free labour from the taxpayer, you leeches'.

Tesco claimed the Jobcentre Plus post was 'a mistake caused by an IT error'.

David Nieberg, a spokesman for the supermarket, said the advert was for an intern and part of the government's 'work-for-your benefits' programme that sees Jobcentre Plus match 18 to 24 year olds to companies to help them find jobs.

Joanna Long, Boycott Workfare spokeswoman, said: 'What the DWP calls work experience is forced unpaid labour.'

In August, Tesco admitted to hiring 3,000 jobseekers. 'So far, 300 young people have gone on to get permanent employment,' added Mr Nieberg.

So if Tesco are doing this, advertising positions like the night worker one then how many other companies are doing the same, taking advantage of the unemployed and of the government? Tesco was caught out this time but how many of the 3000 that they have hired have been employed this way through the 'work-for-your benefits' programme?

We should not allow this to go on, and we should not stand for the abuse of the unemployed. I myself am not unemployed but I could be. I was made redundant but found a job straight away so I'm lucky, but these people who have lost jobs etc. should not be made to work for nothing!

What to do next?

Well I decided at New Year I was going to have a good 2012. Well within the first week I managed to find a broken fridge/freezer in my home, with all the food gone bad and then had some very bad news at work.

I haven't mentioned the work news yet, but that is because I don't particularly want someone from work finding out if they haven't yet been told by management.

I don't know whether it is good or bad at the minute. Our company is being taken over, they are closing our office down, and making us all redundant; or at least that is one possiblity. They have told us they may offer a job in the office in Cheltenham but clearly they won't offer everyone that because if they did then why close our office down and ship everyone south.

I would take up the offer of moving if they offered it to me. If they don't then I'm not in a good position. I will lose my flat; my landlord has already stated that he will not accept DSS in his properties, meaning I will have nowhere to live.
On the plus side my OH's parents have offered to take me in. Of course I would be paying rent but that means a move to Darlington.

I've been wanting to move to Darlington for a while now and I think this may be the kick in the backside I need to make it happen. To date I have only said I will move to Darlington once I find a job.

If I do get offered relocation I'd jump at the chance. I don't think they will but you have to hope and keep positive don't you?
My OH is a bit sick of where he lives and I wouldn't mind getting out of here so could be an adventure for us; a new start.

Either way I'll be happy; I have my OH and that's the main thing.