Union warning over work trials

Union leaders have warned of the danger that unscrupulous employers could be undercutting their rivals by hiring the jobless at the expense of taxpayers.

The TUC backed government moves to help the long-term unemployed find jobs through welfare schemes, such as work trials - four to six week work experience placements, paid at the weekly dole rate.

But the union organisation said hard-to-reach groups of unemployed people could be exploited by firms using work trial temps as an alternative to fully-paid staff.

The TUC has published new guidance warning that these tactics would damage decent employers, threaten the jobs of existing workers and not even help the long-term unemployed trying to find work.

General secretary Brendan Barber said: "The long-term unemployed need all the help they can get in getting back to work, and work trials are a potentially vital way to help.

"But we cannot let a well-intentioned initiative be undermined by unscrupulous employers who can use it to undercut their competitors by employing people on work trials at the taxpayer's cost. This can threaten people's jobs and serves no benefit to those who desperately need help to get back into work.

"Unions are on hand to prevent dodgy employers exploiting the system and will work with good employers, Jobcentre Plus and the Government to ensure that work trials are successful at helping people out of long-term unemployment."

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