Congress tells Minister of Opposition to Compulsory 'Workfare' Schemes
22 Sep 2010
A Congress delegation met today (September 22) with the Minister for Social Protection, Eamon O'Cuiv TD and restated its opposition to any mandatory participation in controversial 'workfare' schemes that are "more about punishing the unemployed than helping them."
The Congress delegation comprised President Jack O'Connor, General Secretary David Begg and Esther Lynch, Legal & Social Affairs Officer.
The meeting took place at the invitation of the Minister and lasted for over two hours.
It follows the controversy that erupted when Minister O'Cuiv announced at the end of August that unemployed people would be forced to work in the community in order to retain their benefits.
His announcement drew immediate criticism from Congress President Jack O'Connor.
Congress General Secretary David Begg said the meeting took place against the backdrop of the release yesterday of "the highest unemployment and emigration figures in perhaps 20 years. The real issue here is a lack of job opportunities and Government's failure to address the job crisis. Until we tackle that there will be no recovery," Mr Begg said.
"In our view any form of compulsory workfare does not represent a strategy for tackling joblessness. The three countries that implemented this model - the US, Australia and Canada - all abandoned it, while the UK later decided against introducing it.
"We need a jobs strategy - not a plan to punish the unemployed. At the height of the boom, we had the lowest levels of unemployment in the European Union, which is clear proof that people want work and will work when it is available.
Mr Begg said they had clearly set out their views to the Minister, that there was an agreement to keep the matter under review and Congress would be available for further meetings on the issue.