MINISTER SLAMS JOB SNOB CRITICS
CHRIS Grayling, the employment minister, yesterday rounded on critics of the government’s work experience programme, describing them as “job snobs”.
He was speaking in response to opponents of the scheme who branded it “21st century slavery” and “forced labour” after it emerged Tesco had offered an unpaid placement stacking shelves in its supermarkets.
The scheme involves asking unemployed people to take up work experience placements – such as the one offered by Tesco – while keeping their out-of-work benefits. Although it is voluntary, those who sign up and subsequently drop out risk being stripped of some benefits.
Grayling said: “I think the accusations about this scheme are absurd. Those who are particularly targeting the supermarkets… are frankly job snobs about the nature of the work those supermarkets are doing.”
He singled out the Guardian newspaper as “crazy” for criticising the scheme while offering unpaid two-week work experience placements in its own offices.
There are fears the furore could see the scheme scrapped as employers pull out due to bad publicity. Tesco was forced to close its Westminster store on Saturday, after 12 protesters staged a demonstration against its participation.
Last week, Tesco urged the government to reform the scheme so that those who take part are not threatened with the loss of their benefits should they drop out. J Sainsbury, Waterstones and TK Maxx are said to have pulled out in recent weeks due to similar concerns, leading to concerns the government will only be able to offer work experience placements in the public sector.
Employers’ organisation the CBI threw its weight behind the government scheme yesterday, which sees around half of all participants go on to find paid employment.
“By allowing job seekers to keep their benefits during the work experience period, these programmes encourage people to gain essential workplace knowledge, which then makes them much more attractive to employers looking to fill permanent roles,” said Katja Hall, the CBI’s chief policy director.
But Stephen Timms, Labour shadow minister for employment, said: “This scheme has lost the confidence of both young people and business, with key companies that should be providing genuine work experience sceptical of its design and motives.”