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
