Report this comment to a moderator

So what is this Tory proposal for a Bill of Rights?

I read your article with interest. I am not a lawyer but I am particularly interested in the following: Highly qualified and with fairly substantial work experience, I have been unable to find work after my redundancy. I have a substantial file to show that I have (and I am) putting a great deal of efforts into my job searches, applications etc... Also some of it seems to corroborate the fact that over-qualification, age (if not indirectly issues related to gender) is making the task harder. I have been transferred to Flexible New Deal by Job Centre Plus. The announcement of the welfare review (that of the Tory-LibDem coalition) indicates that I could end up finding myself in a position in which I am forced to work for welfare. However, I see this as a breach of my human rights. Not because I don't want to work, but because I WANT TO WORK and also I consider being forced into 'compulsory work' for a poverty wage that does not enable me to live a decent life and cover my basic human needs (it actually doesn't!).. I have to find a way to make £30 last for all my needs for food for a week...) cost of communications essential for job search...etc.... ... Therefore, I see the imposition of Workfare as a breach under article 4 of the European Convention of Human Rights. I want to work, I can demonstrate my extremely proactive efforts to seek work, there is genuinely no available jobs... I am fulfilling my responsibilities, and therefore any action is 'oppression' pure and simple. (d) under article 4 specifies what is excluded from being considered as 'compulsory labour' namely, "any work or service which forms part of normal civic obligations" How can 'normal civic obligations' be interpreted? What would a British Bill of Rights do to undermine article 4 in the context of the implementation of 'Welfare for Work' ? I would like to stand that the right for any employment should be accompanied with the right to the National Minimum Wage... and NOT welfare. I would love to read some comments on this... Thank you

7-Jun-2010

2:52 pm