Pledge to Boycott Workfare

transparent-red-no-circle-md copyThe government continues to try and push workfare with numerous work for benefits schemes in spite of a groundswell of opposition across the UK.

Already nearly 400 voluntary sector organisations have pledged to Keep Volunteering Voluntary, and over 20 councils have pledged to avoid workfare too. It’s important that other sectors also firmly turn their back on workfare: will your organisation sign the pledge to Boycott Workfare too?

Why organisations should sign:

  • There is huge public opposition to workfare schemes, with thousands boycotting those involved. Signing the pledge will reassure people that your organisation is not taking part.
  • Workfare schemes are backed by a punitive regime of benefit stoppages, sanctions, which have driven the need for foodbanks in the UK and put people at risk of destitution for up to three years.
  • Replacing motivated and decently paid workers with people facing destitution from often arbitrary sanctions will not be of benefit to your organisation or the claimant.
  • Evidence shows workfare does not help people find work.
  • Signing the pledge will make it clear in advance that your project won’t participate in or police any of these schemes.

Let’s pre-empt any expansion of workfare – and bring it to its long overdue end!

Get your organisation to sign the Boycott Workfare pledge:

“We the undersigned commit to refusing to participate in compulsory work-for-benefits placements. We want volunteering to remain just that!”

Email info@boycottworkfare.org to add your organisation to the growing list below!

Union member? Approach your employer to sign the pledge with support from your trade union branch! Please download the Union motion – boycott workfare to bring to your trade union branch and a leaflet to bring to meetings and events.

We the undersigned commit to refusing to participate in compulsory work-for-benefits placements. We want volunteering to remain just that!

  • Unite Central London Branch – LE/524
  • Hackney City Farm
  • International Federation of Iraqi Refugees
  • Shiny Ideas
  • Unite LE/785 Branch, Community, Youth Workers and Not for Profit Sector
  • Staff Shop (Unite), Friends of the Earth – England, Wales and Northern Ireland
  • Campaign Against Arms Trade
  • Centre for Ethics and Politics at the School of Business and Management, Queen Mary University of London
  • Unite Union Shop at the Medical Foundation for Victims of Torture
  • Shelter from the Storm
  • Chinese Bookshop
  • UNITE Branch LE/460 (Ipswich)
  • Labour Representation Committee
  • Birmingham Trades Council
  • GMB Sussex Branch
  • IWW West Midlands
  • Ipswich Trades Council
  • Brent Trades Council
  • Liverpool Against the Cuts
  • Cardiff Trades Council
  • The Goodship, Kilburn
  • Unions 21
  • Right to Work
  • Education Activist Network
  • Bakers Food & Allied Workers Union
  • Red Stuff Shop, The Screaming Seagull Press Ltd
  • IWW London General Membership Branch
  • Haringey Unison Branch
  • Wessex Solidarity
  • Great Yarmouth and District Trade Union Council
  • Tameside Unemployed Workers Alliance
  • Tameside Trades Council
  • Brighton Trades Council
  • Brighton and Hove Unison
  • Anti-slavery International
  • Community and Youth Workers in Unite
  • Salford City Unison
  • Unison (Sussex Partnership)
  • Norwich City Council
  • Chau digital
  • Black Triangle Campaign
  • The Hope Project
  • The Vintage Quarter, Salisbury
  • Dorset health branch Unison
  • Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole TUC
  • Unison Healthcare branch, Southampton
  • Lewisham People before Profit
  • Art Against Cuts
  • Precarious Workers Brigade
  • Low Energy Designs
  • RMT Paddington No.1 Branch

 

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