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February 13th, 2012 
FAKE NEWS for the Zionist agenda - Tesco, Boots and Sainsbury’s among companies targeted
By
James Chapman
Last updated at 7:42 AM on 13th February 2012
‘Unlawful’: Top firms are being ‘bullied’ by lawyers acting for Cait Reilly (above), who claimed being made to stack shelves at Poundland in order to keep her benefits breached her human rights
Human rights lawyers have been accused of conducting an ‘outrageous’ campaign to bully companies into pulling out of a flagship back-to-work scheme.
They have written to the bosses of companies including Tesco, Boots and Holland Barrett to highlight the case of their client Cait Reilly, who claims being made to stack shelves to keep her benefits is a breach of the Human Rights Act.
Birmingham-based Public Interest Lawyers Ltd demands to know by 5pm on Wednesday whether the firms intend to continue participating in the government-led work experience programme.
Miss Reilly, a 22-year-old graduate, was asked to complete a work placement at Poundland or risk losing her £53.45-a-week Jobseeker’s Allowance, which she had claimed while volunteering in a museum.
Ministers say it is not unreasonable to ask benefit claimants to do unpaid work experience, and credit the scheme with helping hundreds of people to find jobs.
But in a letter to the bosses of companies taking part – leaked to the Daily Mail – Public Interest Lawyers says Miss Reilly argues that the ‘schemes are unlawful and go beyond the Government’s powers’.
Targeted: Tesco and Boots are among the firms being asked to reveal whether they will continue with the Government-led back-to-work scheme
It continues: ‘She considers that they also breach the prohibition of compulsory labour set out in the Human Rights Act.’
Moral quandary: Solicitor Phil Shiner, of Public Interest Lawyers, says the letters intend to question the principles of unpaid work experience
The lawyers note Waterstones’ recent
withdrawal from the work experience programme before asking firms if
they intend to ‘continue to participate in any of the government
schemes’.
They added: ‘We look forward to hearing from you by 5pm on Wednesday 15 February, 2012.’
Other recipients of the letter include the bosses of Sainsbury’s, Argos, Asda, Matalan, Primark, McDonald’s and Burger King.
A spokesman for the Department for Work and Pensions said: ‘Most people will regard it as outrageous that a firm of lawyers should be actively seeking to deny opportunities to young people who urgently need work experience.
‘Helping young people into work is vital and essential.’
Phil Shiner of Public Interest Lawyers said: ‘By filling jobs with unpaid workers, there are fewer jobs available for Britain’s 2.6million unemployed.’
He added that the letter was sent to encourage employers to consider the ‘moral and legal principles’ of unpaid work experience.
‘It is not a threatening letter,’ he stressed.
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If employers can get away with exploiting the unemployed like this , they won’t take on paid labour. Isn’t it obvious ?
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John, Cannock, your point about people being able to give up voluntary work doesn’t really apply. People doing this for work experience are well aware that they need a good reference for job hunting purposes and to be able to demonstrate that they have been able to stick by the disciplines of a job. Therefore they will certainly do a full day’s work during normal working hours, demonstrate their willingness to do the unpleasant and boring jobs, and stick at the job for as long as it takes. That tells a potential employer much more than mere showing that they turned up for a couple of weeks to stack shelves at Tesco’s when ordered to do so by the JobCentre.
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“Phil Shiner of Public Interest Lawyers said: By filling jobs with unpaid workers, there are fewer jobs available for Britains 2.6million unemployed. ” I consider myself a bit of an expert on employment matters – how does this joker not see that the unpaid workers ARE the 2.6million unemployed. They are after the same thing here, he is just looking for some PR for his firm. Joker!
– ashenkorren, suffolk, 13/2/2012 9:29
Can you not see that is the whole point? Why should the unemployed act as unpaid workers for the likes of Tesco’s? If it were not for this little scam, Tescos would have to employ people at proper wages instead of getting free workers from Job Centres, and there would be fewer unemployed, hence fewer people needing benefits. I think ashenkorren is the only joker here.
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These lawyers and this arrogant and ignorant woman are part of our culture I find so repulsive. She took a rubbish unneeded degree and if she is so upset at being unemployable then why don’t they take it up with the University that happily educated her to be fit for nothing. What is the most repulsive part of this story is finding stacking shelves to be beneath you. If I could get a sort after job in my supermarket to help my family out during this tough time I would be delighted. But the jobs are filled with pensioners trying to pay their heating bills and other struggling parents keeping the family afloat, I have the greatest respect for them, much more than these vipers practising this kind of law.
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Mixed feelings about this.
The Museums and charities should be able to use this “free labour”, but large profit making companies and even poundland should not be able to use staff without paying their equivalent wages.
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The young lady at the heart of this debate seems to have accepted the concept of ‘unpaid’ work by volunteering for work experience at a museum; there is no difference in principle between dusting the displays in a museum and stacking shelves in a shop. The real difference is that directed work experience instils the basics of a work ethic, whereas purely voluntary work implies a readiness to quit when the going gets a bit tough. Young – and not so young – jobless people need to learn that ‘stickability’ is the most important thing for a potential employer. A person who who can’t or won’t pull his weight in the workplace is no use to an employer, no matter how well qualified he may be.
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Having read some of the comments posted here and seeing both sides of the arguments put forward, I would also like to comment. I am unemployed, I don’t whinge and certainly would not claim to be a scrounger. I want to work yet am unable to find employment in a more senior position despite having the skills and expertise required. I am also due to start on a work experience placement shortly. I shall be working for my benefits as well in a shop stacking shelves and cleaning, maybe if I am lucky I might be let loose on the till. The problem with these work placements/experience is that the work has to be pitched at a level that most people are capable of meeting. I am not happy about the placement being arranged for me, however, my motto is ‘Smile graciously’ and say to yourself if is only for a short time.
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Who’s paying her legal Bill? Taxpayer’s
Who’s making money out of this girl? Lawyer’s
Therefore the honest taxpayer is giving money to the Lawyer’s AGAIN.
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Who would take the risk of employing this young lady in the future knowing how willing she is to go to litigation.
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I run a small company, anyone know how I can get one of these unpaid staff to boost my profits and help pay for daughters wedding? They would be able to do the work of staff off sick or on holiday, when I normally have to pay them and pay for cover. This is a great scheme, free staff for bank holidays and weekends
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