The Tories plan to sneak in a scheme to make all those jobless for over two years work for their benefits.
The Project Work pro. gramme is a US-style workfare scheme in another name.
it is set to run in selected ar eas from April this year. Project Work lasts six months.
Those targeted must attend a two week Restart course.
Three months of compulsory Job Club follow, where the unemployed are pressured into applying for low-paid jobs. If that does not do the trick, there is another three months of compulsory work experience-for an extra £10 a week.
Failure to turn up, dropping out of the scheme or "disruptive behaviour" will result in loss of This is yet another politi. cally—motivated attack on the poor.
What makes this obvious is the Ann Widdecombe connection. The two areas where Pro. ject Work will be piloted are Ann Widdecombe is the Tory MP for Maidstone and minister with special responsibility for Hull.
Socialist Outlook spoke to Nigel Danby, chair of the North Humberside Employment Service He said: "It's clear to us thai Project Work is part and parcel of the Job Seekers' Allowance.
"It's yet another compulsory scheme with no guarantee of a job at the end.
*I he policy of this union is to boycott work that is anything to do with JSA. "Management have abandoned JSA pilots across the country as soon as they hear that the CiSA is planning to hold a strike ballot."
"Proje i Work is not just an issue for civil servants and the unemployed.
"As the Tories' latest attack on the welfare state, it concerns trade unionists, Labour Party members and all working people.
"Workfare is a threat. But It is also an opportunity to bulld maximum unity among those affected." | Socialist Outlook is Britain's best-selling socialist fortnightly. For an interna. tionalist, socialist and work. Jing-class perspective on world affairs, subscribe to(day! Annual subserpoons cost 138 by air to China, Japan lor Australasia; 650 for multi-reader institutions I and solidarity subscribers;
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Socialist Outlook 96 • February 3, 1996.