A 2008 government (DWP) investigation into workfare programmes in the USA, Canada & Australia concluded that unpaid Workfare was ineffective, unsuccessful and should not be replicated in the UK. In fact it showed that America was already turning its back on Workfare in favour of softer solutions such as paying a subsidised wage.
Workfare does not work.
“There is little evidence that workfare increases the likelihood of finding work. It can even reduce employment chances by limiting the time available for job search and by failing to provide the skills and experience valued by employers”
The report also admitted that Workfare would be more effective if participants were paid a wage
“Subsidised (‘transitional’) job schemes that pay a wage can be more effective in raising employment levels than ‘work for benefit’ programmes.”
The report also concluded that Workfare programmes were least likely to work when unemployment was high.
“Workfare is least effective in getting people into jobs in weak labour markets where unemployment is high.”
America has begun to turn its back on Workfare, instead they now prefer ‘soft’ approached including paying a wage.
“Some states in the US have scaled down large-scale, universal workfare programmes in reference for ‘softer’ and more flexible models that offer greater support to those with the most barriers to work. This includes a greater reliance on subsidised jobs that pay wages rather than benefits to participants.”
http://eoin-clarke.blogspot.com/2011/12/shocker-government-research-concluded.html
Posted on February 8, 2012 by Wp
0