March 2011 - On the Couch
Should the long-term unemployed do voluntary work to keep their benefits?
With more job cuts on the way, we ask three readers if
volunteering should be compulsory for those out of work, or if
benefits should be retained regardless
READER PROFILES:
Katrina Waring, 50 - Clinical support worker and mum to Elizabeth, 27, and Ashley, 22, Katrina says the unemployed would benefit from being made to do voluntary work.
Helga Wills, 61 - A
trained teaching assistant, Helga can currently only find work as a
lunchtime supervisor. She says voluntary work is a way for
companies to have free labour.
Paul Booth, 47 -
Works with volunteers at the Partnership Council in Nottingham.
Paul believes compulsory voluntary work defeats the ethos of
volunteering.
Do you think voluntary work should be compulsory for the long-term unemployed?
Katrina: "I think it's a really good idea to make unemployed people do voluntary work, as when you're out of work you can lose motivation. If you have to go out and work for free it will give you a purpose and keep you busy. It will also stop people staying on the dole because they don't want to work. If they have to work for nothing, they'll soon look for a paid job instead."
Paul: "I think voluntary work is a fantastic thing to do. Over 20 years ago I was unemployed and did a volunteer placement developing play schemes. Within a year I landed a paid job. I now work with volunteers, finding them placements, which often lead to paid work. But I don't think people can be made to volunteer. It would just be too difficult to enforce."
Helga: "I don't think volunteering should be compulsory as companies will use volunteers to cover for job cuts, meaning they will never become vacant again."
Should the long-term unemployed do voluntary work to keep their benefits? (CLOSED)
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Comments:
"A friend of my daughters, made redundant from his job as a manager of a chemical company is now having to do this job free for four days per week for another chemical company in order to be considered as "actively seeking work". So, the firm gets a worker free. The taxpayer pays for the work. The "unemployed" man works for less money and has his self respect eroded. This is a ConDem con; don't be fooled!"
Brenda Procter - Saturday 26th Feb 2011