Saturday 12 January 2013

Action against Workfare & Atos

Activists took part in a leafleting and discussion operation in Paignton on the 12th January, as part of a campaign against Workfare and Atos. 

Hundreds of leaflets were distributed both outside and inside the town's Tesco and Co-operative supermarkets, with a number of shoppers eager to find out more about the implications of Workfare and the activity of Atos. One shopper at the Co-op store, who also happened to be a Co-op member said she would be raising the issue of Atos at the next meeting.


 Exposing the 'Ethical' Co-op's link with Atos


We have all heard the horror stories about Atos and their hounding of the sick and disabled into losing benefits and trying to force them into a job market which does not really exist. But not many people realise the supposedly most ethical name on the street, the Co-operative, have a very cosy relationship with Atos. Even the Co-operative Bank’s claim to be an ‘ethical investment’ company – as if such a thing exists – is doubtful after it emerged that in 2009 they signed a four year contract with disability denying poverty pimps Atos Healthcare.

The Co-Op have said that their new occupational health contract starts in March and that the bidding process for the new contract has already begun. The Co-Op have refused to publicly rule out a bid from Atos Healthcare.

The unethical behaviour of Atos has already been well documented in the mainstream media and by groups such as Disabled People Against Cuts. An increasing number of people have ended their lives after stress and poverty inflicted by the Atos testing regime whilst a recent investigation found that 32 people a week die after being found ‘fit for work’ by the company.

If the Co-Op were going to make their decision based on ethical concerns, which they claim will be a factor, they would have publicly rejected a bid from Atos. However instead of this they have refused to rule out the Atos bid!

The ethical image of the Co-op is its unique selling point.  But by refusing to rule out  the Atos their actions speak louder than words. 

   
The Campaign against Workfare 


The Con-Dem Coalition would have us believe that every benefit claimant is a scrounger, and should be made to enter into modern day slavery to keep their benefits. We are told that we need to cut the benefit bill and that Workfare is a way of people getting back into work.

The truth is 3% of the welfare budget is spent on benefits for the unemployed. With only just over a quarter of jobseekers allowance claimants receiving it for over a year.

In reality David Cameron along with his brown-nosing deputy and rotten cabinet of millionaires are far from caring about the vulnerable in society. They have given tax breaks worth on average £40,000 to the wealthiest, whilst the people they should be safeguarding are forced into modern day slave labour. Only 3.5% of Workfare employees have found employment for more than 13 weeks. In reality the only ones that benefit are the directors and shareholders of large companies such as Tesco!

This also has an effect on people who are already employed with certain firms. Why would the likes of Tesco pay for labour when they can get it for free? Therefore this puts paid workers out of jobs and undermines wages for others.

The fact is that workfare is just another ludicrous attempt by Con-Dems to turn the 99% against itself and to alienate another section of society. Next time you purchase from Tesco think about its employees. For more information visit boycottworkfare.org